San Miguel Beer aims to close the deal Thursday against a NorthPort side determined to stay alive in their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals duel at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
A thrilling 88-87 squeaker in the opener of their best-of-three series last Sunday pushed the Beermen on the verge of realizing a best-of-seven semifinals stint against the winner of the other quarterfinals pairing pitting TNT and Barangay Ginebra.
SMB coach Leo Austria doesn't want to look that far ahead, maintaining his team's focus is on how to finish off NorthPort.
"May heightened sense of urgency kalaban," said Austria. "Gagawa't gagawa ng paraan iyon."
Indeed, the Batang Pier have already shown their own resolve and resiliency in the tournament, overcoming a 1-3 start to finish the eliminations with a 6-5 slate and take fifth.
In the opener, NorthPort even engaged SMB through 10 lead changes and eight deadlocks before Robert Bolick's three-pointer from way, way put the Batang Pier on the threshold with an 87-86 lead, only five seconds to go.
Sadly for coach Pido Jarencio and his charges, Alex Cabagnot came up with a two-dribble, pull-up elbow jumper in the Beermen's last thrust for the win.
"Very dangerous talaga itong NorthPort. Sinuwerte lang talaga kami that game," said Austria.
Worse for the Batang Pier, Sean Anthony remains doubtful for Thursday's game due to an oft-injured left ankle he rolled midway in the fourth quarter of the opener. The swelling has subsided, but there are bone spurs in that foot which means the veteran forward would be in tremendous pain if he plays.
Prior to that injury, Anthony was going great guns, lacing his 16-point, eight-rebound performance with nine of NorthPort's 10 points at the start of the fourth quarter that kept the team within arm's reach of SMB.
In contrast, Terrence Romeo has been deemed fit enough to play for SMB after recovering from his Achilles injury that forced his sidelining from late in the eliminations up to last Sunday's game.
For Austria, however, the key would still be his charges staying focused and executing on both ends until the final buzzer. "Kailangan mindset nila hindi p'weeng mag-relax at any time against NorthPort," he said.