A VISIT by Alfrancis Chua to San Miguel practice on the eve of Wednesday’s knockout quarterfinal game against Terrafirma went a long way for the team.
According to SMB coach Jorge Gallent, the San Miguel sports director gave a pep talk to the Beermen as the top-seeded team faced the specter of an embarrassing exit from the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
Chua gives Beermen a pep talk
“I would like to thank Coach Al because he went to practice yesterday,” said Gallent. “He spoke to everybody. He gave us a really good motivation for today’s game. Thank you, Coach Al, for visiting us and giving us the inspiration and motivation.”
Other than Chua’s visit, Gallent said the Beermen went about their usual routine in the face of a looming disaster after the eight-seeded Dyip won last Saturday, 106-95, to force the sudden-death.
“We just watched a lot of film. Big, big factor talaga ‘yung pagpunta ni Coach Al kahapon. Minotivate niya ‘yung mga players,” said Gallent.
“We watched our mistakes and how to improve on them. ‘Yung biggest part was the match-ups. We watched a lot of match-ups so that Big Boy (June Mar Fajardo) here will not have a hard time. Plus ‘yung guards, we were rotating on Juami [Tiongson], ‘yung adjustments, ‘yung sa film, match-ups, and how to protect Big Boy,” said Gallent.
San Miguel's difficulties against Terrafirma stemmed from the Dyip’s ability to shoot, the coach said.
“They have shooters that can shoot. June Mar has to extend his defense. Once June Mar does that, we have a hard time getting the boards because June Mar will be outside. Kailangan ‘yung guards will get the defensive rebounds," Gallent said.
“We did a great job sa second half. The guards played well and defended well against their guards. June Mar did a good job extending his defense to the shooters,” he added.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
