ARWIND Santos said San Miguel is ready to play physical against Phoenix Pulse with the PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series heating up.
The Beermen hold a 2-0 lead over the Fuel Masters following a 92-82 win last Monday in a game that saw physicality increasing a notch after Christian Standhardinger got ejected for a kick to the groin area of Calvin Abueva.
With emotions running high in Game Two, Santos expects the physicality to continue for Game Three set on Sunday.
“Kami ready kami. Expect namin na gagawin nila ‘yung mga pisikal na laro tapos bully. Kami naka-ready kami,” said Santos.
Santos said he has yet to play a physical type of game, something that was seen during their quarterfinal series against TNT.
“Ako hindi ko sinusundan kasi hindi pa kami kailangang gamitin … Hindi pa lumalabas ‘yung pagka-bully namin. Hindi pa kami pumapatol totally, what more kung lalabas pa. Sa nakikita namin, hindi pa namin kailangan ilabas.
“Basta ilaro lang namin ‘yung dapat ilaro especially on defense. Kailangan i-derecho lang namin,” said the 37-year-old former MVP.
Due to the intensity that is expected to increase following Game Two, the 13-year veteran said taking a 3-0 lead will be easier said than done.
“Siyempre mahirap ‘yun. Naalala ko ‘yung ginawa namin sa Alaska na na-0-3 kami. Ayaw namin mangyari sa amin ‘yun. ‘Yun ‘yung lesson learned na nakita mo na akala mo malayo na, hindi mo na maabutan. Nalagpasan ka pa pala. Ayaw naming mangyari sa amin ‘yun.
“Hangga’t maari, i-derecho namin ‘yung magandang ginagawa namin, ‘wag kami makalimot. Lagi kaming nire-remind ni [SMC sports director] boss Al (Chua) na naka-suporta at lagi kaming nire-remind para ma-pump up ‘yung mga players,” said Santos.
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