Pivotal Game 4: Execution is key, says SMB coach

Playing like the formidable team touted about, San Miguel winning Game 3 of the PBA Fiesta Cup Finals with plenty to spare, didn’t come as a shock for Alaska coach Tim Cone. It is something Cone expected from a proud defending and reigning champion, whose backs are against the wall. “Everybody talks about how talented they are, and they played to their talent," said Cone of the Beermen. In a way, the winningest mentor among active coaches in the league believes the loss could be a perfect wake up call for his Aces, who still lead the best-of-seven series, 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled to be played Friday at the Astrodome. “Now, we got a real dose of reality and it’s something we needed," said Cone. “There’s no easy way to win a championship." Game 3 indeed, wasn’t easy for Alaska. Behind their daunting defense, the Beermen forced the Aces to commit 23 turnovers, three less than the combined errors Alaska had in Games 1 and 2. The defending champions also clobbered their opponents off the boards, 49-29, with Best Import winner Gabe Freeman accounting 20 of them. San Miguel also shot 20 more compared to Alaska, which was held to only 59 attempts from the field. The Beermen exploded for 10-of-27 from three-point range, including a 4-of-6 stint by Arwind Santos. The end result had the Beermen posting the most lopsided win in the title series so far, 96-80. “We got out of character and let them (Beermen) have their way with us for a night," said Cone. “We’re confident we can recover from the setback and get the series going in the direction we want. The tempo wasn’t exactly the way we wanted it and that will be our concern going into Game Four." San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen said it’s time to move on as Game Three is now history. “That’s just one game," said Tanquingcen. “And it’s not going to get any easier. It will only get tougher." “We need to elevate our mental focus and energy again." A major victim of a focused and energized Beermen the last time was Alaska’s Diamon Simpson. The lanky, 22-year-old, do-it-all import finished with just 16 points and 11 rebounds, committed seven out of Alaska’s total turnovers. Simpson’s worst game of the series led Alaska to lose for the first time in two weeks. The Aces' last setback came in Game 5 of their semifinals series with Talk `N Text, 81-80, on a driving lay up by Jason Castro in the waning seconds. “We can’t lose our focus," said Tanquingcen. “They’re a pretty good team. Knowing Tim, he knows how to adjust in a series. For sure, Game Four will be more physical because the stakes are higher. It will still come down to execution. Whoever can play their style of game will win." - RCJ, GMANews.TV