CHUA CITES WINNING TRADITION

MANILA, Philippines — It was a little difficult for San Miguel Corp. sports director Alfrancis Chua to pinpoint exactly what was the main key to San Miguel Beer’s victory in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals because there were just too many critical factors. But the thing that stood out was its winning tradition. “Dala ng team ang experience, they know how to win,” said Chua. “Total team effort but of course, there’s June Mar (Fajardo), hindi pa yata pinapanganak kung sinong makaka-challenge sa kaniya. Nakita natin ang ginawa niya sa Game 6. Also, ang second unit, nag-respond, especially si Kris (Rosales) na always ready.”

Chua said coach Leo Austria’s adjustment in playing a “semi-big” lineup without a natural point guard and JMF the only tower on the floor was impactful. “It allowed us to play big against their smalls,” he said. “Ang buhay ng TNT is their perimeter game, dribble-drive, kickout kaya tinutukan ng coaching staff ang matchup sa defense. We knew they couldn’t last. TNT beat us in Game 1 kasi mahabang pahinga nila tapos sa Game 4 may extra day na pahinga. But in Games 5 and 6, only one day ang pagitan.”

After the San Miguel-Ginebra series, Chua focused on the Beermen. “Di ako nakialam sa semis but starting the Finals, nandoon ako every practice,” he said. “I told them TNT won Game 1 because they kept pressing and denying our passing lanes but I reminded them mapapagod sila at huwag natin labanan ng one-on-one. After we lost Game 4 by 23, sabi ko that’s just the equivalent of one win, whether you lose by 30 or one. Forget it, tapos na ‘yan. In Game 6, we started out hot. TNT came back to take the lead in the third quarter but in the fourth, ubos na sila.”

Chua said he learned his hands-on style from San Miguel Corp. chairman Ramon S. Ang. “I’m so lucky RSA is my boss because I learn from him first-hand,” he said. “Nakita ko how he’s hands-on with everything from family to business to basketball. He watches every game on TV and tells me what he thinks, what to improve, what to focus on. Kaya, nahawa ako at ganoon din ang style ko sa PBA.”

2026-02-03T16:31:32Z