Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — From the looks of it, San Miguel Beer has the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup title in the bag.
The Beermen have experienced both being in control and overcoming huge deficits, and emerged triumphant in both: they blasted the Aces in Game 1, 108-78, and came back from nine points down to take a 103-95 win in the succeeding game.
And on Wednesday (July 15), San Miguel Beer took a commanding 3-0 lead no team has ever bungled even in the National Basketball Association (NBA) by outlasting the Alaska Aces in Game 3 at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Read: Reid explodes for 41 as Beermen down Alaska for 3-0 lead
San Miguel Beer, the winningest team in the league, is now a victory away from its 21st championship.
Still, Beermen Coach Leo Austria said the team should not treat the Aces with kid gloves in Game 4.
“We need four wins to claim the title,” said Austria moments after his team fended off Alaska in Game 3.
“Mathematically, Alaska still has a chance to turn this series around.”
He added, “My players know we have to treat every game like a do-or-die game.”
Import Arizona Reid, who has made the finals his own show after losing the top import award to rival Romeo Travis of Alaska, couldn’t agree more.
“We gotta stay focused in Game 4,” said Reid, who has averaged 36.7 points in the best-of-seven finale.
