IT was one ugly game in the eyes of San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
Yet, he was satisfied with the way things went for the Beermen even after absorbing a 99-91 overtime loss at the hands of Eastern in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday night at the Philsports Arena.
Austria pointed out how the defending champion committed 22 turnovers against the 11 of Eastern, which the Hong Kong-based team translated into a 25-14 advantage in points off turnovers.
READ Eastern asserts mastery of SMB, spoils Narcis debut
But the Beermen made the game close in the homestretch, where they even had the chance to win it in regulation.
“We played well. Actually ugly game (siya) because we gave away 25 points off 22 turnovers. Can you imagine that? One quarter possession na yun,” said Austria.
“But there was an opportunity for us to win especially in regulation,” he added. “We had the last shot, but we were not able to execute well.”
It was the first loss in three league games this conference for the Beermen with Austria calling the shots, levelling their record at 3-3 for solo seventh place.
Not making any excuses, but the veteran coach said the team again has to adjust on having a new import in Jabari Narcis, who took over the spot of Torren Jones.
Narcis will also serve as the other import of San Miguel in the EASL along with Jones after the team decided to finally part ways with former NBA player Quincy Miller.
Technically, Narcis is also the second import Austria is coaching three games since swapping places with now consultant Jorge Gallent.
“Maybe because everybody’s trying to adjust with a new import,” said Austria of Narcis, the 27-year-old native of Trinidad and Tobago, who practiced with the team just twice prior to his debut.
“And kitang-kita naman he’s still adjusting. He doesn’t know yet the system and what kind of plays we do because we can’t teach everything in two days.”
Double blackeye for SMB
Narcis shot 11-of-29 and finished with 28 points and 10 rebounds in 49 minutes of play.
The loss to Eastern was the second straight for San Miguel against the same team, but Austria would rather look at the silver lining that goes with it.
“Even if it was an ugly game, we had a chance to win,” he stressed.
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