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Austria surprised to see SMB still on a roll

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--Even Coach Leo Austria cannot believe his team racked up 11 straight wins in the PBA Philippine Cup.

Since their only loss of the conference to the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Nov. 30, the Beermen have become dominant as expected, eventually locking the first seed in fashion.

"I don't know kung paano nangyari yun. Basta ang sabi ko sa kanila, 'Just play and understand how to win,' and yun ang nangyayari," Austria told the media after SMB's 11th consecutive victory, a 111-98 rout of TNT in Game 1 of the semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.


However, he admitted, "Sooner or later, matatalo kami, but I prayed na sana huwag mangyari sa first game namin."

Good thing for the Beermen, they sizzled all game long, connecting on 16 triples out of just 26 attempts and making 56 percent of their baskets overall.

"They're playing like an orchestra na alam na alam na nila yung gagawin ng bawat isa," Austria further commended his players.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno