PHOENIX Super LPG coach Jamike Jarin knows there's nothing more dangerous than a stung giant like San Miguel Beer.
So Jarin has tried to prepare his Fuel Masters for what should be a very rough outing against a Beermen crew bristling to get back on the winning track Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
A win by SMB in the match set to kick off at 5 p.m. would bounce it back from a 97-107 loss to TNT last Sunday and jacking its record to 4-2.
For its part, Phoenix is looking for a second straight win that would be its third in six games overall and put it at .500 for the first time in the season-ending tournament.
Jarin knows his side's task is easier said than done. "For me, San Miguel has the best lineup in the PBA," he said.
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"It's always a hard matchup against them kasi nga nobody can guard the best basketball player the Philippines has ever produced. That's a big problem right there," added Jarin, referring to eight-time season MVP June Mar Fajardo.
"And then they're coming off a loss," Jarin also said. "We know they're gonna be prepared. Parang pareho lang kami na one-week break so they're going to be fresh. Let's see."
Indeed, SMB coach Leo Austria the loss to an erstwhile winless TNT team should serve his team in good stead. "Little bit of complacency siguro dahil... parang nagkaroon ng false sense of security na we can easily beat a struggling TNT team na 0-3," he said.
"I tried to address the situation, reminding the players na that team cannot be taken for granted kasi they're backs against the wall so they will do everything. Lumabas nga, naging mas mataas ang effort nila kaysa sa amin," added Austria.
"We have to exert extra effort against Phoenix dahil talagang capable silang manalo on any given night against a top team. 'Yung standing nila hindi true reflection ng capability nila so kung sasabayan lang namin sila, baka maging 50-50 lang chances namin."
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As if to backstop Jarin's words, Fajardo has indeed been rock-solid for SMB with his averages of 19.4 points and 12.8 rebounds. But CJ Perez has also been on fire with his norm of 24.0 points, as well as Juami Tiongson, Don Trollano and Marcio Lassiter.
"Kailangan we have to go to our advantage player (Fajardo) without really relying on him all the time. Kailangan everybody should play as a team on both ends of the court," stressed Austria.
"Defense has always been a problem against San Miguel, but we'll surely try and limit them," noted Jarin. "The pace of the game would be a factor for us. The faster you play against San Miguel the better your chances are. We'll be ready by Sunday." (NC)
