MANILA – San Miguel Beermen are ready to play the Phoenix Fuel Masters’ pace as their 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals series turns more physical after three games.
Beermen veteran Arwind Santos said they, as much as possible, try not to be affected by the physicality being thrown at them by the Fuel Masters but is ready to respond when push comes to shove.
“Hindi naman bago ‘yung physicality sa amin,” said the one-time PBA MVP awardee. “Ever since naman, sa tagal na ng samahan namin marami na kaming napagdaanan na ganyan.”
He added: “Ready naman kami, expect na namin na gagawin nila yang pisikal na laro tapos bully. Naka-ready naman kami. Ang maganda dito, hindi pa lumalabas ‘yung pagka-bully namin talaga. Hindi pa kami pumapatol totally.”
The Game 3 last Sunday was no different from the first two games of the series with several players getting slapped with technical fouls and some were tagged with flagrant fouls.
Fuel Masters’ Matthew Wright was slapped with flagrant foul 1 early in Game 3 for his hit on Beermen’s Von Pessumal, while Phoenix’s Dave Marcelo got ejected for his hard hit on Beermen’s Christian Standhardinger.
Beermen’s Santos and Fuel Masters’ Calvin Abueva were also assessed with technical fouls after shoving each other while Fuel Masters’ RJ Jazul was left with bloodied nose as Pessumal got away with punishment for his hard hit.
“Kapag pukpukan na medyo natatambakan naman namin, nakakalapit naman kami eh. Hindi pa kailangan play physical,” Santos said. “Pero ‘yun lang, kung kinakailangan, kaya din naming makipagsabayan.”/PN
