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By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--San Miguel looks to finish off Ginebra in Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sunday night.
The Beermen hold a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven championship series and can clinch their third consecutive Philippine Cup title in the 6:30 p.m. tip-off.
A win by SMB will make the team the second permanent owner of the Jun Bernardino Perpetual Trophy given to the team that will complete a three-peat in the season-opening conference.
But the club has to eliminate Ginebra, the first team in league history to climb back from 1-3 down to grab all the marbles, not to mention the team has the winningest mentor in the league championship-wise in Tim Cone.
"At 3-1, it's a commanding lead, but we are not sure yet. Alam naman natin that Coach Tim is a great coach, and he knows this kind of situation. We experienced this kind of situation. The possibility is still there," said Coach Leo Austria, whose Beermen squad not just fought back from 1-3 down but even from 0-3 down to steal the Philippine Cup title last year from the Alaska Aces.
Also, Austria looks forward to give his players more rest ahead of the mid-season Commissioner's Cup, which will take place later in the month.
"I hope na matapos na ito kasi our bodies are really tired. I think we need some rest. The second conference is two weeks away," continued Austria.
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