‘We really need to step up because the level of competition in the league is getting even more intense.’
JUNE Mar Fajardo and the San Miguel Beermen are expected to pick up where they left off in the PBA Philippine Cup. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PBA
Unbeaten San Miguel Beer will rely on the same formula that got it back in top shape for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup following its championship conquest in the previous conference last month.
Beermen coach Jorge Gallent is confident that the momentum they built from winning back-to-back games will not diminish despite the All-Star and Holy Week breaks.
Gallent said they would just need to apply the same routine they did following a short rest after beating Magnolia for the Commissioner's Cup throne.
San Miguel stayed sharp with just 10 days of intense preparation heading into the All-Filipino tournament.
It will be more of the same for the Beermen as they build up for the resumption of action on 31 March.
"We'll have the same mentality we had from 4 March until 14 March. After the All-Star we're gonna rest a day and then work hard again. Prepare for battle for the next coming days," he said.
San Miguel's short but potent preparation rewarded it with huge wins over Rain or Shine and TNT to get on top of the standings before the midseason festivities.
"Before the start of the conference, we had 10 days to get back in shape. We had nice and intense practices that's why the level of play is still up there," Gallent added of the result of their preparation.
Gallent, along with his top stars June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Terrence Romeo, Mo Tautuaa and CJ Perez, participated in the fun and exciting PBA All-Star weekend in Bacolod City last week.
Gallent also had his first stint as All-Star Game coach, handling Team Mark against the Tim Cone-coached Team Japeth. The entertaining exhibition match ended in a draw, 140-140.
Fajardo, who in the last two games came off the bench but still averaged 15 points, 13.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game, has also expressed the need for Beermen to stay on their toes.
"We really need to step up because the level of competition in the league is getting more intense. All teams have beefed up their respective rosters. There's no more pushover team in the PBA," he said.
"We have to raise the level of our game. We can't be stagnant. No complacency for us. We need every win that we can possibly get and as coach said our goal is to get the twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs," Fajardo, who is getting back to top form after suffering a calf injury in Game 4 of the previous conference finals against Magnolia.
San Miguel will return to battle on Easter Sunday against Phoenix at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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