After back-to-back losses to start PBA Season 50, the San Miguel Beermen were staring at potentially getting into an 0-3 hole when they took on the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Sunday at Ynares Center in Montalban. The defending champions responded like the champs they are, routing Rain or Shine, 111-93, to serve notice to the league that the Beermen are starting to get back.
Postgame, San Miguel coach Leo Austria acknowledged that his team did lose its way somewhat after its championship conquest in the last Philippine Cup. And now, the Beermen are only starting to find their way again.
“We’re not in top shape compared to the other teams because they started their training two months before the tournament,” Austria told media after San Miguel’s win on Sunday. “In our case, because of the championship we got, I gave them time to relax and enjoy the championship. But that’s the thing we have to give up because it’s almost always the case: After the championship, struggling kami because the other teams are already practicing hard.”
San Miguel Paid the Price
To an extent, what the Beermen have gone through, as Austria described, is natural. Championship hangover is a real thing, especially when the offseason is just three months. That, unfortunately, was the case for San Miguel, and the team “paid the price,” Austria admitted, alluding to the Beermen’s 0-2 start. At least now, he can revel in the fact that June Mar Fajardo and company appear to be rounding into form.
“A lot of teams are playing well, naka-level up na sila in terms of talent and intensity-wise, conditioning-wise, they’re in top shape,” Austria said. “Now, last three practices namin, we stepped up in our training to get the energy system we have to have.”
This seeming return to form is timely, too, as it comes just days before the Beermen travel to Dubai for an out-of-country date with rivals Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
“This win should be a morale booster for us because at 0-2, we cannot afford to lose again. At 0-3, it will be a disaster going to Dubai,” Austria pointed out. “This win will give us a lot of confidence.”
Indeed, it should. And that could be bad news for Ginebra and the rest of the league.
