Perhaps a good night's sleep and a delicious breakfast are just among the few factors how the San Miguel Beermen managed to fight for dear life in what seemed to be a do-or-die game for them.
But turning serious, SMB head coach Leo Austria credited the total team effort that his wards had shown to be able to break away with a 114-96 in Game 6 of their best-of-seven Philippine Cup Finals series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday night, Sept. 2.
While June Mar Fajardo carried the load for the team the past few games, the sharpshooters and the backcourt players found their scoring groove as Marcio Lassiter, CJ Perez, and Simon Enciso connived to provide firepower for the Beermen.
"During pre-game interview, we will not concentrate on one player, especially on June Mar. I want everybody to be involved especially mga shooter namin and that's what happened tonight," said the eight-time PBA champion coach.
"Maganda 'yong tulog nila tsaka breakfast nila kaya siguro sinuwerte kami," he jested.
Without having much to rely on Fajardo, it was the moment that Austria has been waiting for as far as SMB's offensive end is concerned.
The Beermen did not disappoint and made a mini three-point shooting contest at the Big Dome.
Lassiter, who was named Player of the Game, dropped 23 points on an 8-of-11 shooting including six three-pointers, missing only once from beyond the arc.
Perez fired 20 points built on a perfect 3-of-3 of shooting from the three-point range to go with four rebounds, and three assists while Enciso chalked up 20 points as well including six triples.
Lassiter and Enciso were the first teammates to have at least six treys made in a PBA Finals since Chris Ross and Terrence Romeo buried seven and six three-pointers, respectively, during the Beermen's 127-125 double overtime win against the Tropang Giga in Game 2 of the 2019 Commissioner's Cup.
"That's what I'm waiting for everybody to click and Marcio is shooting well, plus Enciso, and no need for June Mar, but if we need June Mar, if ever andon naman siya," added the 64-year-old Austria. "Everybody contributed and we have to learn from this game."
Fajardo despite scoring 10 points only showed force on the defensive end and had 12 rebounds and five assists as well while Mo Tautuaa had 15 points and eight rebounds.