SAN Miguel’s loss to Alaska can be summed up in one word: Rebounding.
Despite having the league’s most dominant inside presence in June Mar Fajardo and reigning league MVP Arwind Santos, the Beermen were outrebounded by the Aces, 56-45, in their 94-87 loss during the opener of the PBA Governors Cup.
San Miguel active consultant Todd Purves noted the 20-8 advantage of Alaska off the offensive boards translated to more opportunities to score for the Aces - and eventually spelled doom for the Beermen.
“For us, it’s about rebounding (tonight). Both teams limited their turnovers to a degree, but the difference is rebounding. And 20 offensive rebounds mean they (Aces) were going more for the ball than we did,” said Purves, whose team is fresh from a playoff debacle in the recent Commissioner’s Cup.
Import Reggie Williams was the lone bright spot for the Beermen after finishing with 42 points, spiked by seven three-point shots.
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo scored 13 points and finished with 16 rebounds, but the big man out of University of Cebu only attempted nine times from the field after being hounded all game long by Alaska big man Sonny Thoss.
Purves said outside of Williams and Fajardo, the rest of the team will have to chip in if the Beermen hope to bounce back strong in the season-ending tournament.
“Even if they (Beermen locals) don’t do well, they’ve got to do things better, like rebounding, setting screens, pass the ball well,” explained the American mentor in dissecting the team’s loss to Alaska.
San Miguel hopes to get on the win column on Friday when it faces Rain or Shine.
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