Bay Area coach Brian Goorjian has this to say after dethroning SMB

With the shot clock winding down, a visibly tired Bay Area import Andrew Nicholson dribbled right before taking an off-balanced three-pointer against CJ Perez. 

It was a highly-contested, awkward shot — but it went in anyway.

That proved to be the game-winner as San Miguel Beermen import Devon Scott went 2-of-4 from the line, Perez’s three missed the mark, and June Mar Fajardo missed a bank shot off a rebound. 

For what it’s worth, the San Miguel Beermen can take comfort in the fact that they made the Bay Area Dragons bleed before giving up the slot at the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. 

Even Bay Area head coach Brian Goorjian recognized the Beermen’s greatness, saying he has nothing but respect for the SMB side that gave him a headache all throughout the best-of-five series.

“Nothing but respect for ownership, coaching staff, players and the adjustments that coach made during that series on Andrew, the post ups, the double teams, the switching on the on balls — that’s what finals basketball is about,” Goorjian said after the match at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Goorjian, who has six NBL Australia titles under his belt, pointed out the three games in the series that were decided only in the final seconds. The concurrent Australia national team coach admitted he hasn’t been in such a situation in a while.

“And three games by 2 points? I don’t think I’ve ever been in a series — and I’ve been in the game a long time — that was like that. I mean, three of the four games are [decided] at the last second. Incredible,” said the tactician who led Australia to a bronze medal finish in the Tokyo Olympics. 

That was big coming from someone whose team drubbed almost every team in the league on the way to the semifinals against the defending champions.

But the job's not done. 

The Dragons meet Ginebra in the finale that begins on Christmas Day at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The Gin Kings, led by the winningest coach in PBA history in Tim Cone, gave the visiting team its first defeat in the import-spiced conference, 111-93. 

And if their elimination round meeting is any indication, it looks like Goorjian and his staff will have their hands full coming into the Finals.