They're determined to make the finals, and they want some rest before seeing action in the finale.
With that in mind, the San Miguel Beermen vow to go all out to finish off the beleaguered Barangay Ginebra side in Game Five of their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown at the Cuneta Astrodome Saturday.
"It's a must-win game if we want to get a good rest before the finals," said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
He's quick to add though that they're not counting Ginebra out.
"Manageable yan," said Austria of Ginebra's task to win three straight games to salvage the series.
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"I was a part of the Shell team that blew away a 3-1 lead against Ginebra. At humarap na kami sa 0-3 deficit, and we won it. So anything is possible. Hindi kami pwedeng mag-relax," Austria added.
If they're to finish the series in Game Five, Austria said the key is to come out and play with the same energy they brought out in winning the last game, 102-81.
Game Six, if necessary, is on Monday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Game Seven, if also necessary, is Wednesday in the same venue.
But the Beermen are aching not to prolong the series. They're raring to nail a ninth straight best-of-seven playoff win for a shot at an all-Filipino "four-peat" versus either the Magnolia Hotshots or the NLEX Road Warriors.
Taking full responsibility for their lopsided Game Four loss, coach Tim Cone said it's painful but they're ready to move forward.
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For Cone, moving forward is putting all they've got in Game Five.
With their foe fighting for life, Austria said it's incumbent upon them to be ready for war.
"It's a human nature to relax when you're up. But if you're a winner, there's no situation where you would relax," Austria said.
And the SMB coach is optimistic he's got winners on his side.
"Just take a look at Chris Ross. He's not 100 percent but because he's a warrior, he still wanted to be part of the battle. At kahit konting minute lang, he contributed (in the last game)," said Austria.
"Game Five? We'll see. What I will try to have from the guys is energy. That's very crucial. We lost in Game Three because we didn't have the energy," Austria pointed out.(SB)
