SMART Clark Giga City. - This is where plenty of ice goes hand in hand with San Miguel Beer.
Not in the ordinary way involving a beer mug or glass, however, but in the context of the PBA Philippine Cup bubble's unique set-up in Pampanga made more tough by a punishing, tight schedule.
"After ng bawa't game lahat dito grabe ino-order na ice. Hindi lang mga players ko, pati sa lahat ng ibang teams," related SMB coach Leo Austria, referring to the athletes' usual method of using cold packs to treat aches and pains, not to mention muscle inflammations.
"Iyun ngang every other day nga laro, mahirap na," added Austria. "Kung dagdagan pa ng back-to-back tulad dito, mas doble hirap. Kaya ang top seller dito ice talaga at pinaka-busy mga PTs (physical therapists) at masahista."
Austria offered the insight on the eve of SMB's 6:45 p.m. match-up against NorthPort Tuesday at the Smart 5G-powered AUF Sports Arena in Angeles City.
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The match is a no-bearing one for the Batang Pier since they have been eliminated from the race for berths in the eight-team quarterfinals.
The stakes are so much higher for the Beermen as they seek to wind up the eliminations with a win that would boost their bid for one of the top four slots and a twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.
A loss could have disastrous repercussions for SMB, but Austria is not thinking about that.
"Kapag nanalo we have a chance to make it to the top four," said Austria. "That's why it's a crucial game for us. Parang start na ng quarterfinals namin iyon, parang best-of-three for us. We need to win twice para makapasok na sa semifinals."
The defending champions took one step in that direction after beating Barangay Ginebra 81-66 last Sunday, right after NorthPort absorbed a 76-83 defeat at the hands of Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok.
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Austria does not expect this to be a walk in the park, however. "Kailangan paghandaan namin sila ng husto. Nothing to lose mga iyan. Lalaro pa rin mga iyan," he cautioned.
More so the likes of Christian Standhardinger and Kelly Nabong, who were once parts of SMB. "Galing San Miguel mga iyan kaya well motivated sila," stated Austria.
Yet Austria himself is keeping an eye out for gis own team, which has some main players nursing battered bodies and injuries.
"Hindi pa sila 100 percent kaya we're trying to manage their minutes," said Austria, referring specifically to Chris Ross (thumb and ankle), Marcio Lassiter (calf), Mo Tautuaa (mild ankle sprain).
"Kaya nga our bench has to deliver para ma-sustain namin ang good start na gusto namin," he added. (NC)
