Josh Smith is punishing San Miguel Beer badly in the limited minutes he’s playing.
And he’s likely to be main focus of coach Leo Austria’s adjustments in the
continuation of the TNT KaTropa-San Miguel slugfest at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.
By 12 noon Thursday, the PBA Commissioner’s Office still didn’t receive notice of import change from the TNT camp. It means Smith will play on in Game Two of the Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven series that started with a 104-102 triumph by the Ka Tropa on a last-gasp basket by Smith Wednesday night.
The Ka Tropa are determined to march on while the Beermen are eager to fight back in Game Two, with tip-off set at 7 p.m.
To many, the down-to-the-wire finish of Game One could be indication of how the series will go.
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“It came down to the last shot. It’s going to be tough games. It’s gonna be whoever team that crawls it out, grinds it out,” said Smith. “I’m glad we’re the first team to get the first win so we’re three steps closer.”
The Beermen were unfazed by the Game One defeat, with coach Leo Austria pointing out the breaks just went TNT’s way in the end.
“We fought hard but we came up short because of Smith’s last shot,” Austria said.
“We had a hard time preparing for the game because we didn’t know who would be their import. Now that we know, we can devise defense to limit him and of course their perimeter shooters surrounding Smith,” Austria also said.
The SMB bench chieftain also mentioned their woeful shooting and their tons of turnovers.
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“Maasim,” said Austria of their 6-of-29 three-point shooting. Their No. 1 marksman Marcio Lassiter didn’t make even one from six attempts.
“We couldn’t get the ball to our big men because we’re not making our outside shots. We should concentrate on post offense. We’ve won a lot of games on that,” said Austria.
The Beermen won the rebounding battle, 58-52, but turned the ball over 23 times, six more than those of the Texters.
“Ang laking bagay non. In fact, first half pa lang may 19 points na sila on our turnovers,” said Austria.
TNT coach Nash Racela said they have to be ready for San Miguel’s adjustments.
With Smith wreaking havoc at the post and the TNT gunners making their shots, the Ka Tropa set the pace most of Game One.
They can be more lethal if Ranidel de Ocampo will be able to return in the next game. De Ocampo was out with a slight fever Wednesday.
