The Giants leveled the best-of-seven series following a 97-84 win on Wednesday as all Purefoods starters finished in double figures, with do-it-all guard Roger Yap falling just one rebound short of completing a triple double with 15 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
The Game 4 win definitely boosted the Giants’ confidence.
"I feel like we have a legitimate crack (at the Finals) because of the way we’ve been playing and the way we’ve been concentrating and being in focus in trying to stop this team (SMB)," said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.
Alaska already clinched the first Finals berth with a 4-0 sweep of Barangay Ginebra two nights ago, 102-95.
San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen admitted the Beermen were out of synch the last time.
"We didn’t play our game (in Game 4). We gave up 48 percent shooting (field goal). And then we bogged down on one-on-one, which we are not. We have to generate our shots based from our offense."
The Beermen were held to just 38.8 percent shooting (26-of-67).
But for Gregorio playing good defense against the Giants is not just enough.
"Against SMB, it’s not enough to play a defensive game," said Gregorio. "You also have to score at your end as well. I think I know what to do."
Coming off a grueling five-game quarterfinal series against Rain or Shine and now battling the Beermen in a tough contest now reduced to a best-of-three, Gregorio deemed it best to call off heavy practice Thursday as the team spent the time in the video room to study game tapes and rest those weary legs.
"San Miguel gives us different looks," said Gregorio. "Sometimes they play the zone, sometimes the box-in-1. We just have to make sure our players are in the proper spots."
Source: Author Unknown | GMANews.TV
No comments:
Post a Comment