REDEMPTION and reclaiming glory - not so much stopping TNT's grand slam bid - are what drives San Miguel Beer in the PBA Philippine Cup finals.
The Beermen are in position to atone for their bungled title-retention bid and early exit in the mid-season Commissioner's Cup and they're determined not to let it slip away.
"We're not here to stop the (TNT) bid for the Grand Slam. We're here to win games and eventually win the championship," coach Leo Austria said during Friday's pre-finals press conference at Chardonnay by Astoria in Pasig.
Austria stressed they want to win this one for their families and friends.
Sponsored content:
And having missed the playoffs entirely during their failed title-retention bid in the Commissioner's Cup in the previous conference, the Beermen are determined to reassert themselves as winners.
"We realized na it should not happen again to us," said the nine-time PBA champion coach.
"And I'm so happy with the players because everybody has stepped up from Day One of the training to this conference. They're moving differently now. 'Yung body language makikita mo, eh. And then naging mas united kami."
Sponsored content:
Doing it in the All-Filipino conference, San Miguel's old turf, is making this endeavor all worthwhile.
"I think everybody expecting us to contend in the All-Filipino because we were in eight out of the last 10 finals. Hindi naman kami ganong kalakasan pero laging sinasabi (SMB is team to beat) so paninindigan na namin ito," said Austria.(OL)
