San Miguel is riding high on a seven-game winning streak that put it in the driver's seat, together with Rain or Shine, at the tail end of eliminations in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
San Miguel coach Leo Austria demands consistency from his charges despite their one-sided 116-92 win over Blackwater that gave them a seven-game win streak in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Saturday, Dec. 13.
Austria was not happy with how the reigning titlist started the match against the also-ran squad.
[RELATED STORY: Don Trollano stars for Top 4 hopeful SMB: ‘My mindset is to be aggressive’]
“I hope na maging consistent itong mga players namin. Kasi kanina, medyo hindi maganda ang start namin,” said Austria after the match at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
Though the Beermen led, 24-16, at the end of the opening quarter, they shot 9-of-22 from the field, including 3-for-10 from the three-point area.
[RELATED STORY: PBA gives free tickets for December games as Christmas treat to fans]
While those figures do not exactly scream woeful shooting, Austria is making sure that his wards, who joined Rain or Shine atop the heap with their similar 7-2 cards, are in the proper headspace once the quarterfinals kick off later this month.
“What we want to happen is to prepare for the next game or the playoffs because it’s habit-forming,” said Austria.
“Kailangan, we have to be consistent in what we were doing.”
[ALSO READ: Black welcomes Erram’s addition to bolster Gilas’ frontline in SEAG]
It's exactly what Austria and his Beermen will try to address as they wrap up the elimination round against Terrafirma and Meralco.
“Hindi namin tinitingnan kung six or seven straight won games kami. Basta every game, we want to win. Especially today na this game is not an assurance yet to get into the Top 4," the 10-time PBA champion coach said.
But the chances are really high for us,” he added.
—
Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.