ANTIPOLO – San Miguel’s vaunted bench mob went missing in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals against TNT.
Coach Leo Austria was quick to point out the obvious following the reigning champion’s 96-91 loss Wednesday night at the Ynares Center.
The Tropang 5G outscored the Beermen on bench points, 48-27, as the usually reliable Don Trollano struggled for just four points on 1-of-7 shooting while Juami Tiongson was 1-of-5 for five points.
READ: TNT turns back last-gasp San Miguel comeback in Game One
Their starting guards didn't do any better as CJ Perez went 5-of-17 despite finishing with 16, just a game after scoring for a career-high 41 points in San Miguel’s closeout series against Barangay Ginebra.
“Credit it to the game plan of TNT, they were able to contain our shooters,” said Austria. ‘If you noticed, ang gumawa sa amin puro big men.”
With the exception of Perez, the three other San Miguel players who finished in double figures were all bigs – June Mar Fajardo with 24 points to go along his 17 rebounds, Mo Tautuaa had 22, and Rodney Brondial added 10.
“That’s 54 points from Mo, June Mar at tsaka si Rodney. Our wingmen, especially yung bench namin…Pero sabi ko nga credit to the defense kasi they are trying to deny the ball from getting to the wingmen recipients, yung mga entry passes,” said Austria.
San Miguel leads the league in bench scoring.
“Very clear yung game plan nila to stop our bench especially yung mga perimeter shooters namin.”
READ: Mo Tautuaa likes the fight from SMB despite foiled comeback
Starting veteran point guard Chris Ross, who sizzled during the semis series against Barangay Ginebra, was held to just two points, while Marcio Lassiter, the all-time league leader in three-point shooting made, continued to struggle with his shooting as he ended up scoreless on 0-for-3 shooting from downtown.
But Austria said San Miguel’s second half comeback was the major positive takeaway the Beermen could bring with them going to Friday’s Game 2.
“Next time siguro mai-address namin ito lahat. And then we should have a better game plan,” added the Beermen coach. “This is a best-of-seven, so we have to adjust.”
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