MANILA, Philippines — Ato Agustin knew exactly how long it has been since San Miguel Beer won the coveted PBA All-Filipino championship.
The year was 2001: his final season as pro with Red Bull.
Now that he’s already the mentor of the Beermen, nothing would make him happier than to end that near-decade drought.
San Miguel, which holds the distinction as the most successful ball club in the 36-year history of Asia’s first ever pro league with 18 crowns, last snared the title when it beat Ginebra in the Finals, 4-2.
“Medyo matagal-tagal na rin,” said Agustin, a key player of the 1989 San Miguel team that won a Grandslam and later, became the lowest drafted player to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award in 1992.
Agustin and his wards have the opportunity to quench their title thirst.
The Beermen will go up against the surging Ginebra in a best-of-seven semifinals series that starts January 5.
Seeded No. 2 going into the playoffs, the Beermen, however, have not seen action since Dec. 19 which could be a factor.
But Agustin is defiant.
“We need to be ready. Alam naman natin na malakas na team ang Ginebra,” Agustin said.
In reaching the semifinals, the Beermen dispatched the Air21 Express, 97-75, in their quarterfinal duel while Ginebra essayed a come-from-behind series win against the Alaska Aces, 2-1.
Agustin welcomed the long respite for the Beermen, especially that they’ll be up against a champion franchise handled by a champion coach in Jong Uichico.
Ironically, Uichico was still mentor of San Miguel when the team won its last All-Filipino crown.
San Miguel won its two head-to-head match-up with Ginebra, the third-ranked team, in the eliminations, although both games were decided by a single point.
The Beermen escaped with a 69-68 victory in their initial meeting after rallying back from as much as a 21-point deficit, and then made it two in a row, 79-78, behind the tip in basket by Jay Washington in the final 13.4 seconds.
Agustin expects the semis series to be as closely fought as those two thrilling matches.
“Mas mahirap ang laban ngayon. Different level na dahil semifinals na ito,” he said.
Francis Santiago, Manila Bulletin
