SAN Miguel rose to the challenge of a sudden coaching change by outplaying Terrafirma, 106-88, in continuing action in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup over the weekend.
The Beermen clinched the win just hours after management announced the appointment of Leo Austria as new head coach of the franchise, replacing Jorge Gallent, who assumed Austria’s previous job as consultant.
READ: Beermen have fair share of blame in SMB slow start, admits Ross
The move came in the aftermath of SMB's back-to-back losses against NLEX and Rain or Shine, a skid the team quickly turned around following an 18-point victory over the winless Dyip.
In the second game, Barangay Ginebra raised its record to 2-0 by thumping hard-luck Phoenix, 94-72.
Here are the takeaways in the Friday the 13th double-header at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
1. SMB'S FATE NOW FALLS ON AUSTRIA
The veteran coach himself admitted there’s less pressure just being a team consultant. But now he’s back on the hot seat, expectations are certainly high for the 66-year-old Austria, who steered the franchise to nine of its last 10 championships.
Austria was only told of the decision on the eve of the team’s game against Terrafirma, giving him less time to prepare and get his feet wet in coaching again. Will the Austria magic still work for SMB?
2. PLAYERS’ ROLE AND ROTATION WERE ISSUES THAT HOUNDED SMB
No one really talks about it in the open, but clearer roles and rotations have been among concerns within the team this season, even as early as the Governors’ Cup when they appeared vulnerable against Converge in the quarterfinals before bombing out against Ginebra in six games of the semifinals.
Apparently, everything finally came to a crescendo in San Miguel's 107-93 loss to Rain or Shine when CJ Perez, considered the other half of the Beermen's 1-2 punch, was left on the bench at the height of the Elasto Painters’ searing run in the fourth quarter. The high-scoring guard was fielded back just when momentum was already on the side of Rain or Shine. SMB never recovered.
3. ALMOST BUT STILL NOT QUITE FOR PHOENIX
The Fuel Masters remain winless in four outings so far in the conference and their latest against the Gin Kings was a replica of at least their two previous setbacks. Phoenix just couldn’t protect its lead and yet again ran out of gas when it needed it the most.
It was the same story against Ginebra when the Fuel Masters went on a dry spell in the third quarter, allowing the Gin Kings to gain the upper hand and coast to the win. Of course, previous heartbreakers included losses to San Miguel and Meralco, where the Phoenix failed to protect its 23 and 16-point leads.
Now, the Fuel Masters just need to get over that hump.
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