COACH Leo Austria believes that the late incidents which marred San Miguel's 134-109 win over Ginebra in Game Two of the PBA Philippine Cup finals shouldn't have happened, but he refused to pin the blame on his players.
Arwind Santos and Chris Ross were ejected 15 seconds apart late in the fourth quarter following seperate incidents, probably the only blot for San Miguel in an otherwise well-deserved win that tied the best-of-seven series at 1-1.
Santos got ejected for a shoulder tackle on Scottie Thompson, the incident where Ross got his first technical for continuous complaining. Ross then got sent off after getting his second technica following an altercation with Joe Devance.
But the level-headed Austria said the incidents were totally understandable.
"I cannot blame them because of the intensity of the game. But next time they should be smart kasi may fine sila diyan," said Austria.
"As a coach I dont want that to happen."
Austria believes that what happened was due to the raw emotions and intensity that they brought stemming from a humiliating Game One loss.
"They were furious. Even sa dulo nagka-technical. Sana hindi na nangyari because of their intensity it happens," Austria continued.
"May effect yan sa team e. It means they are out there to fight but we have to be smart because we can't afford those technicals. Buti na lang malaki lamang," he added.
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