Grand Slam in peril? SMB coach admits team struggling, hopes new import delivers

SAN MIGUEL Beer’s grand slam campaign is now facing a tough challenge and head coach Leo Austria admitted the team has been struggling lately.

“We’re not playing our usual game,” added Mr. Austria moments after the Beermen survived the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. “It was really a sigh of relief for us winning this game. We need this game badly. We cannot afford to lose three in a row.”

Coming off back- to- back losses, the reigning three- time Philippine Cup champions played with a sense of urgency led by Chris Ross, who unloaded five triples on his way to finishing 27 points and three steals.

How their fortunes will change depend on their new import, Terrence Watson, who came in time for the Beermen’s game against the Elasto Painters but was unable to get his working papers processed before tip off of Wednesday’s game.

“He’s already here. We just couldn’t get him the papers he needed to play,” added Mr. Austria. “But we’ll definitely play him against Ginebra.”

The Beermen and the Gin Kings will square off on Sunday at 6:45 p.m. in their rematch of their Philippine Cup finals series.

Mr. Watson will be the third import of the Beermen and unlike the first two reinforcements before him, the 6- foot- 5, former Ball State standout plays the wing position. He previously played in Israel where he averaged 12.9 points and close to eight rebounds per outing.

The Beermen were forced to make changes after losing a game with Wendell McKines and Terik Bridgeman.

Mr. Watson is projected to be a good complement for reigning three-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo and allow the 6-foot-10 slotman more room to operate. —