Ato Agustin, San Miguel’s rookie coach, was in a fighting mood moments after his Beermen notched their first win in the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals series against the Talk N Text Tropang Texters. “Eku tatakot (I’m not afraid)," said Agustin in Kapampangan dialect. “Parang hindi sila sportsmen. Feeling ko, ipinasok lang nila yung mga bench players para tirahin yung mga player namin. Parang hindi sila marunong tumanggap ng pagkatalo," added Agustin.
SMB Coach Ato Agustin argues a call as play got rough during the Beermen's do-or-die game against the Texters. SMB won 103-82 to stay alive in the series. Photo: Odi de Guzman
Agustin’s comments came on the heels of San Miguel Beer’s 103-82 triumph in Game 3 that put the Beermen just a game behind the Texters, who now lead the series, 2-1. Game 3 turned out to be a highly physical encounter that saw two Beermen at the receiving end of Talk N Text’s rough play. Alex Cabagnot found himself sprawling on the floor on at least three occasions in the second half as his team pulled away. First, he landed on the foot of Jason Castro while on his way down after taking a jump shot. Second, the lefty guard drove hard and got hit on the left thigh by reserve wingman Emmerson Oreta’s right knee. Third, the cerebral quarterback went down hard after being ganged up on by Talk N Text frontliners while driving to the hoop. But Sunday Salvacion received a more severe beating — thanks to a wayward elbow from tough Talk N Text forward Mark Yee.
Blood oozes from San Miguel Beerman Sunday Salvacion's forehead as he got hit by a wayward elbow from Texter Mark Yee. Photo: Odi de Guzman
The sweet-shooting Salvacion, who had been playing his best game in the series, had to sit down after he got hit, with blood flowing down his face and onto the floor. He wasn't able to finish the game after scoring 13 points, and was forced to go to the dugout after incurring the nasty cut with still several minutes left in the game. “Sana naman bigyan ng action yung mga naninira. Deliberate yung ginagawa nila. Sana naman sina Commissioner, they should have a look at it in the monitor para makita nila and ma-penalize yung mga nanira," said Agustin. But for San Miguel Beer players Arwind Santos, Jay Washington and retiring veteran Olsen Racela, the Game 3 win will serve as added motivation. “Kung yan ang gusto nila, lalaban kami. Hindi naman puwedeng tanggap lang kami ng tanggap. Sanay naman kami sa larong kalye eh," said Santos. “I think we have to respond to whatever they throw against us," said Washington. “We just have to be ready." “I got them fired up with my speech before the game," said Racela. “We just have to play with the same fire and intensity no matter what type of game is played."
SMB pointguard Olsen Racela (#17) throws a pass as Texters Jared Dilinger (#21) and Gilbert Lao (#98) look on. Photo: Odi de Guzman
Talk N Text coach Chot Reyes, whose team absorbed its worst beating since its 82-105 bashing at the hands of Ginebra on Jan. 6, 2010, debunked his rival's claim. “They were leading by 20 points and the game was already decided, so I have to preserve my main men for the next game," said Reyes. “But there was no intention for us to harm anyone. We saw the real San Miguel today. Our butts got kicked. We were just a step slow tonight. They wanted it more."
- Rey Joble, JVP, KY, GMANews.TV 
GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
