291jili PBA: Chris Ross says too much ‘change on our team’ doomed Beermen
San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo is consoled by Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar during the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
San Miguel’s hopes of another appearance in the PBA Finals went down in flames on Sunday night as the Beermen faded down the stretch against Barangay Ginebra to lose, 102-99, and exit Governors’ Cup contention after six games in the semifinals.
There was expectedly no consoling the Beermen after the loss at Smart Araneta Coliseum, for they just missed out on what could’ve been their 46th crack at a PBA crown and the opportunity to increase their trophy collection to 30.
Article continues after this advertisementChris Ross, one of the club’s cornerstones who is now also serving as an assistant coach, was simply dejected when he faced reporters.
FEATURED STORIES SPORTS NBA: Wizards' Corey Kispert agrees to 4-year, $54M deal SPORTS NBA: Nuggets give Aaron Gordon 4-year, $133M extension SPORTS Griffeys hope to see Lakers' LeBron, Bronny James make NBA history“There’s none. We lost, so there’s none,” Ross said, when asked about any positive takeaway from the botched campaign.
However, Ross gave a much more comprehensive response on what doomed the team.
Article continues after this advertisement“I don’t know. I feel like since we won the (last) championship, we’ve had so much change on our team,” he said. “There was just so much change, man. We went through four imports and the coaches trying to find combinations that would work.
Article continues after this advertisement“[And] we come against a team like Ginebra? They know what they’re doing. They have their rotation, they have their import. So it’s kind of like riding a bike for them,” Ross continued. “With us, we’re just trying to figure out what’s gonna happen, who’s gonna play here, who’s gonna play there, who’s gonna take the shot, who’s gonna make the pass.”
Article continues after this advertisement Scant playing minutesSan Miguel indeed looked like a disjointed bunch earlier that night. Whatever depth the Beermen enjoyed in recent seasons was hardly a weapon as import E.J. Anosike, June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter and CJ Perez all played at least 40 minutes.
Terrence Romeo, who almost single handedly willed San Miguel to its Game 2 win, played just about eight minutes. Ross, a seasoned defensive whiz, saw action in just nine.
Article continues after this advertisementSan Miguel’s rotation was truly a stark contrast when ranged against that of the Kings, who used their wealth of talent—and familiarity with one another—to the hilt.
“Just a transformation from what we had, to what we are now,” said Ross.
Fajardo felt that losing was simply the duality that comes with the sport.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
“That’s just how basketball is. There’s a winner and a loser. Congrats to Ginebra291jili, they’re the team that played well this series,” Fajardo said as he looked at the next chance. INQ
READ NEXT PBA Finals a duel between 2 great minds steering 2 great sides Cheng gets sweet time to regain groove EDITORS' PICK Sandro Marcos calls out VP Sara Duterte: ‘You crossed the line’ Liam Payne had cocaine in his system when he died, says official Bianca Bustamante joins NEOM McLaren for Valencia Women’s Test INQside Look with senatorial aspirant Tito Sotto QC Mayor Belmonte highlights social services in State of City Address LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine MOST READ DILG identifies 38 hotspots ahead of 2025 polls LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine Marcos smiled, walked away when asked about VP Duterte's accusation NBA: Wizards' Corey Kispert agrees to 4-year, $54M deal View comments