MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer coach Ato Agustin is not cocky, but his confidence of beating Talk ‘N Text for the third straight game is now sky-high.
“I am confident, we’re confident, especially now that we know how to beat them,” Agustin said.
As it is, Agustin appears to have figured it out the right combinations to beat the younger and faster TNT squad again.
And he’s ready to push the buttons today when they clash with the Tropang Texters in Game 5 of their PBA Philippine Cup Finals showdown at the Araneta Coliseum.
Having won Games 3 and 4 of their best-of-seven series, the Beermen enjoy a psychological advantage going into their 7 p.m. tussle.
Another San Miguel victory will move Agustin closer to becoming the eighth coach to win a championship in his first season in the pro league.
And that’s another extra challenge for the Beermen to win the season’s opening conference.
Agustin, however, stressed that they have to execute their offensive plays with razor-sharp precision and play real smart defensively to beat the Texters anew.
“We have to play with the same intensity and same energy. The lapses we had in Game 4 (during the fourth quarter), we need to correct that. We have to remind players about that,” Agustin said.
If the Beermen manage to complete their turnaround, Agustin will make history as the first Filipino coach to win titles in the amateur, semi-pro and pro league – all on his rookie year.
In 2009, Agustin steered San Sebastian College to NCAA title and last year, he guided Excelroof to PBL championship.
Talk ‘N Text took a 2-0 lead in the championship showdown with victories in Games 1 (91-82) and 2 (110-102), but San Miguel Beer bounced back by winning Games 3 (103-82) and 4 (91-87) last Sunday.
Agustin, however, believes that TNT coach Chot Reyes will use a different tact in the hope of turning their fortunes around.
Fil-Am players Kelly Williams and Ali Peek should assert their might inside to help Jason Castro, Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo in the offensive end.
The two have been performing below-par in the last two games, particularly in Game 4 where they combined for only eight points and 14 rebounds.
“First, we need Ali and Kelly to play the way they’re capable of,” Reyes said.
“We also need to score versus their collapsing defense. We must also need to neutralize Olsen (Racela) and DI (Danny Ildefonso),” he added.
Racela, now in his final conference in the PBA, and Ildefonso have been instrumental in the two wins, providing veteran leaderships while contributing on both ends of the floor.
Aside from Racela and Ildefonso, TNT will also have to keep an eye on Jay Washington, the Best Player of the Conference.
Waylon Galves, Manila Bulletin
