Before his team locks horns with Alaska in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors' Cup finals, San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria is wary of the well-rested Aces.
"We have no time to scout Alaska because focused on our series versus Rain or Shine," said Austria, whose team outsted the Elasto Painters in four games to advance to the finals.
But apart from that, the champion coach has no other worries.
"Alaska is really playing well and they're on a roll," he said. "But I really feel there are many ways to beat them."
A rematch of sorts between the two storied franchises in the PBA, the best-of-seven title match begins on Friday (July 10) at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Alaska is gunning for its 15th title, while the Beermen hope to capture their 21st.
PBA GOVERNOR'S CUP FENALE | ALASKA VS SAN MIGUEL | FULL GAME REPLAY
ALASKA ACES VS SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN
Date:FRIDAY JULY 10, 2015
Time: 7:00 p.m. Philippine Time
Venue: MALL OF ASIA COLISEUM
TV Info: The match will be broadcast on
TV5 Network and Aksyon TV (AkTV).
LINK: STREAM & REPLAY
PBA GAME MATCH FINAL SCORES:
SAN MIGUEL 108 - Reid 32, Fajardo 18, Cabagnot 15, Santos 15, Lutz 12, Lassiter 9, Ross 2, Fortuna 2, Semerad 2, Tubid 1, Reyes 0, Espinas 0.
ALASKA 78 - Travis 14, Thoss 12, Abueva 11, Hontiveros 11, Manuel 8, Casio 5, Banchero 4, Baguio 4, Menk 3, Dela Rosa 2, Exciminiano 2, Jazul 2.
Quarters: 35-22, 54-41, 77-65, 108-78
Arizona Reid had 32 points, seven assists and six rebounds, but it was June Mar Fajardo's 18 points and 17 boards that gave the San Miguel Beermen a 108-78 win against the Alaska Aces to take Game 1 of their finals series on Friday.
"Di rin alam kung ano nangyari. Expect ko it will be a hard game for us," said SMB head coach Leo Austria after the game. "Panalo ka ng tambak o hindi, it's still one game. I'm expecting them to bounce back in the second game. They're very cohesive; there very disciplined."
The Beermen uncorked a 10-2 run to start the fourth quarter, establishing a 20-point lead to cruise to victory.
San Miguel sizzled early in the game, tallying 35 points in the first quarter to set the tone. The Aces had their chances, cutting the lead to single digits multiple times during the game, but Reid and Fajardo were always there to take points back and re-establish a double digit lead when it mattered.