WIN or lose in Game Seven, San Miguel Beer is expected to receive a handsome bonus check after the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Alaska end on Wednesday.
After all, the Beermen had been left for dead after going down in the first three games of the series, on the brink of getting swept for the first time in their storied history.
But lo and behold, the defending champions are on the verge of making a successful title defense and pull off definitely the greatest comeback in league history.
“Normal naman sa mga player na nagpapakahirap na may reward,” SMB coach Leo Austria said. “I think masasayahan yung players at yung family nila.”
“Yung sa akin, barya lang eh,” the champion coach added in jest.
But Austria refused to get way ahead of themselves, still focused on becoming the first team to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a seven-game series.
“Hindi importante sa amin yung bonus,” Austria said. “Ang importante sa amin yung history dahil I think yun ang inaasam.”
SMB superstar June Mar Fajardo echoed his coach’s sentiment, playing down what is expected to be a huge incentive.
“’Di naman yung bonus yung maaalala ng mga tao kundi yung championship eh,” the reigning back-to-back league MVP said. “Yun ang goal namin.”