The San Miguel Beermen is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Blackwater Elite at 4:30 P.M. on June 14, 2019 live from the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Elite wanted to take a solo leadership in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup standings while the Beermen are eager to end their losing skid and get their first victory this conference.
Without a doubt, Blackwater is on a roll and totally a different team this mid-season tournament.
With the addition of Bobby Ray Parks Jr., and the basketball system introduced by interim head coach Aris Dimaunahan, the Elite are currently living in their moniker.
Still, having a 5-1 record doesn’t prove anything as the Dioceldo Sy-led squad had a similar winning situation during the 2018 PBA Governor’s Cup where they started at 4-0.
They even made it 6-1 as the playoffs approaching then disaster came. They lost four in a row in the elimination round and got knocked out by the eventual champion Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok in the first round of the playoffs.
This is what they wanted to avoid in the ongoing second conference tournament.
“We started 4-0 (in the 2018 Governors’ Cup), but somehow that time medyo nag-let up mga players. Medyo nawala sa focus, medyo nag-celebrate at medyo nagkaroon ng konting complacency,” recalled Elite coach Aris Dimaunahan.
For the Beermen camp on the other hand, despite of losing back-to-back, head coach Leo Austria is still confident that his squad will be able to bounce back.
“Start pa lang naman ng conference and there are enough games left para maka-recover,” said Austria.
He’s hoping that that his Beermen will be back in the winning track the sooner to avoid complication with other teams at the tailend of the tournament.
“Pero if we’re going to make our move, the sooner the better dahil napakahirap maghabol, lalo na sa conference na ito na maraming nagpalakas at lahat ng imports magagaling,” he added.