SAN Miguel Beer’s decision to engage Talk `N Text in a shootout did the Beermen in during Friday night’s 107-101 loss in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Coach Leo Austria felt the team veered away from the defensive identity it established in the season-opening conference and dearly paid for it.
The loss derailed the Beermen’s march outright to the semifinals.
“On our offense, we had no problem because we scored a lot. We usually averaged 85 points (per game). But the problem is our defense because they (Tropang Texters) scored over 100 points,” explained Austria, whose team dropped into a tie with Rain or Shine for joint first place with similar 8-2 records.
“We usually limit our opponents to 78 or 80 points per game on an average. So this (loss) is a wake-up call for us.”
The 56-year-old coach said the Beermen’s perimeter defense wasn’t efficient at all, allowing Talk ‘N Text’s forwards like Jay Washington, Ranidel de Ocampo, and even former San Miguel star Danny Seigle to connect from inside and outside.
“The big men of Talk ‘N Text did a big damage sa labas kasi most of their shots from perimeter went in,” Austria said, citing Washington and De Ocampo, who combined for a total of five three-pointers.
Seigle, the 6-foot-7 Fil-Am forward, entered the game averaging just 3.8 points in less than 10 minutes.
But against San Miguel, the four-time league Finals MVP showed he still has enough left in his tank after scoring nine of his 12 points in the fourth period.
‘Dynamite Danny’ also scored four straight points, before Washington finished off San Miguel with a three-point shot inside the final minute to secure Talk ‘N Text’s eighth win as against three losses.
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.
