(From Business Mirror)
Nobody could doubt the intention and desire of the San Miguel Beermen (SMB) to repeat as champions of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference.
Their dominating game reflects their focus and determination that has propelled them to a league best 10-1 (win-loss) record.
While he is visibly pleased with his team’s efficient effort each game, SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen keeps on pushing his troops to strive harder and keeps on warning them to get ready for much tougher challenges ahead as teams make a desperate push for the playoffs.
“Everybody is gearing up to play us and it’s not gonna get any easier as the second round goes on,” Tanquingcen said during a postgame interview moments after their 106-100 repeat victory over Air21 on Friday.
To keep the Beermen on top of their game and to make sure they don’t lose their competitive edge, Tanquingcen has urged them to treat each game and every quarter as if it’s their last.
Whether they could sustain that kind of approach will be put to a test on Wednesday, as the rampaging Beermen attempt to stretch their nine-game winning streak against the Barangay Ginebra Kings.
The defending champions survived a late challenge by the Kings for a 104-92 victory in their first meeting on April 18. The rematch is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.
Barako Energy Coffee and Air21—two teams trying to stave off elimination—battle each other in a crucial game at 5 p.m.
Ginebra may not have the kind of bench depth San Miguel enjoys, but their tenacity more than makes up for their deficiencies.
“It’s always a challenge playing Ginebra because they are well-coached,” said Tanquingcen.
The Kings had a shaky start but as soon as they have settled down, they won four of their next five games, capping it with a three-game winning streak that culminated with a 105-93 romp over Alaska on Saturday.
At the moment, they are tied for third place with B-Meg Derby Ace at 7-4 (win-loss), but another win would keep them in the hunt for one of two outright semifinals berth.
What makes the Kings even more dangerous is their motivation to get back at the front-running Beermen and earn bragging rights as the team that snapped their nine-game winning streak.
“We know they are the No. 1 team that’s why we have to play every possession like it was the last,” said Kings’ coach Jong Uichico, who was very impressed with the effort his chargers displayed against Alaska.
“We just didn’t give up and our players played their hearts out and that’s just the way the Ginebra team should play, come what may,” he said.
Tanquingcen and his Beermen will be ready.
“Coach Jong kept saying they find ways to win even when they’re struggling. And now that they have a resurgence with their own winning streak, we can’t afford to allow them to outhustle us in rebounds and transition,” Tanquingcen said.
The 2-9 Coffee Masters are seeking payback against the Express—a win that could enhance their chances of making the wild-card phase.
Air21 beat Barako Energy Coffee, 113-108, on March 28 for its only win so far in the conference before going on a nine-game losing streak to bring up the rear of the standings with a 1-10 card.
Ai21’s current mark tied coach Yeng Guiao’s record when he lost 10 of his first 11 games while calling the shots for Red Bull during the 2000 All-Filipino Conference.
The return of veteran guard Wynne Arboleda, though, should help turn Air21’s fortune around. Arboleda played against San Miguel on Friday, his first active game since being suspended last year for attacking a fan.
Nobody could doubt the intention and desire of the San Miguel Beermen (SMB) to repeat as champions of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference.
Their dominating game reflects their focus and determination that has propelled them to a league best 10-1 (win-loss) record.
While he is visibly pleased with his team’s efficient effort each game, SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen keeps on pushing his troops to strive harder and keeps on warning them to get ready for much tougher challenges ahead as teams make a desperate push for the playoffs.
“Everybody is gearing up to play us and it’s not gonna get any easier as the second round goes on,” Tanquingcen said during a postgame interview moments after their 106-100 repeat victory over Air21 on Friday.
To keep the Beermen on top of their game and to make sure they don’t lose their competitive edge, Tanquingcen has urged them to treat each game and every quarter as if it’s their last.
Whether they could sustain that kind of approach will be put to a test on Wednesday, as the rampaging Beermen attempt to stretch their nine-game winning streak against the Barangay Ginebra Kings.
The defending champions survived a late challenge by the Kings for a 104-92 victory in their first meeting on April 18. The rematch is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.
Barako Energy Coffee and Air21—two teams trying to stave off elimination—battle each other in a crucial game at 5 p.m.
Ginebra may not have the kind of bench depth San Miguel enjoys, but their tenacity more than makes up for their deficiencies.
“It’s always a challenge playing Ginebra because they are well-coached,” said Tanquingcen.
The Kings had a shaky start but as soon as they have settled down, they won four of their next five games, capping it with a three-game winning streak that culminated with a 105-93 romp over Alaska on Saturday.
At the moment, they are tied for third place with B-Meg Derby Ace at 7-4 (win-loss), but another win would keep them in the hunt for one of two outright semifinals berth.
What makes the Kings even more dangerous is their motivation to get back at the front-running Beermen and earn bragging rights as the team that snapped their nine-game winning streak.
“We know they are the No. 1 team that’s why we have to play every possession like it was the last,” said Kings’ coach Jong Uichico, who was very impressed with the effort his chargers displayed against Alaska.
“We just didn’t give up and our players played their hearts out and that’s just the way the Ginebra team should play, come what may,” he said.
Tanquingcen and his Beermen will be ready.
“Coach Jong kept saying they find ways to win even when they’re struggling. And now that they have a resurgence with their own winning streak, we can’t afford to allow them to outhustle us in rebounds and transition,” Tanquingcen said.
The 2-9 Coffee Masters are seeking payback against the Express—a win that could enhance their chances of making the wild-card phase.
Air21 beat Barako Energy Coffee, 113-108, on March 28 for its only win so far in the conference before going on a nine-game losing streak to bring up the rear of the standings with a 1-10 card.
Ai21’s current mark tied coach Yeng Guiao’s record when he lost 10 of his first 11 games while calling the shots for Red Bull during the 2000 All-Filipino Conference.
The return of veteran guard Wynne Arboleda, though, should help turn Air21’s fortune around. Arboleda played against San Miguel on Friday, his first active game since being suspended last year for attacking a fan.
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