Juami Tiongson and the San Miguel Beermen claimed the top seed and the twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup. They play against the defending champion Meralco in the quarterfinals.
Juami Tiongson found himself in unchartered territory on Sunday night, June 15.
Before making his way to San Miguel, Tiongson had been used to a losing conference where his team was either in the cellar or outside playoff contention.
It all changed when he was traded to the Beermen in November last year.
Fortunes didn’t come right away, as the Beermen failed to enter the playoffs in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. But with him getting comfortable with his new teammates and the system, the Beermen claimed the top seed and the twice-to-beat advantage in the ongoing Philippine Cup.
“Sabi ko nga kay Marcio (Lassiter) tsaka kay C-Ross, ‘thank you guys, from no. 12 to no. 1’,” he told One Sports after SMB’s No. spot-clinching 126-91 win over NorthPort at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Friday, June 15.
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But Lassiter and Ross, winners of 10 championships with the Beermen, were also quick to tame the eager playmaker.
After all, San Miguel faces a tough test come the quarterfinals as the Beermen arranged a rematch against reigning champion Meralco.
The match is set at 5pm on Friday, June 20, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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“Pero reminder lang nila sakin na job’s not done. There’s more work to be done,” he said.
“Yun naman talaga daapt kas the goal isn’t just to be no. 1. But to go all the way and win the championship.”
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