MPBL fans were treated to a possible North Division playoff preview, as two erstwhile unbeaten teams faced off in the middle of the Playtime Filoil Centre.
San Juan, bolstered by UAAP Finals MVP Mike Phillips and the University of the Philippines' 'Maroon 4,' tested its mettle against defending champion Abra, which boasted of 38 straight victories heading into their Saturday showdown.
The pressure was palpable for all. Except Harold Alarcon, that is.
By halftime, the former Fighting Maroon was 0-for-7 on the field, which was actually testament to how the two teams turned up the intensity, as most players struggled shooting the ball.
Still, Alarcon kept at it, and with his experiences in pressure-packed moments during his days with State U, he knew well enough that the first half was the first half, and that there were two more quarters to play.
“'Di na ako nag-dwell sa first half ko kasi alam ko na maapektuhan ako 'pag iniisip ko pa yun. For me lang, mag-focus na ako sa present kasi 'di ko naman na handle yung past, tapos na yun,” he told SPIN.ph after the Knights finally broke free en route to a streak-busting triumph over the Weavers.
READ: Retooled San Juan ends Abra's 38-game MPBL winning streak
“Kung anong nasa harap ko, yun lang yung mako-control. I mean, experience-wise, 'pag na-feel mo yung moments na ganoon, parang 'di na magiging bago sa’yo.”
Alarcon was key in the pivotal push San Juan went on to put away Abra, scoring all but two of his total of eight in the final frame, while also dishing out six assists in their 66-58 victory.
Big-time player
It also didn't hurt that the Knights, playing at home for the first time this season, put out all the stops: drums, trumpets, and their home crowd clad in green.
You know, playoff atmosphere. Or even finals atmosphere.
And you know, something Alarcon had been used to for all of his five years as a Fighting Maroon.
“Napansin ko rin kanina versus Abra, grabe yung crowd. Parang UAAP din, kaya kami, may pinaglalaban din talaga na pride,” he said.
From what he has learned during his UP tenure, however, this big win doesn't mean anything just yet - even if San Juan is the first team to topple the defending champions in well over a year.
As he put it, “Dagdag din (sa) confidence sa team yun kasi yun nga, defending champs yung tinalo namin. Pero dapat, mag-stay consistent lang kami. Nakikita na namin yung potential ng team, and doon kami mag-start.”
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