Mo, Billy pupukpukin ni Leo sa center post

LEHITIMONG natirang sentro sina Moala Tautuaa at Billy Mamaril sa San Miguel Beer para sa parating na 45th Philippine Basketball Association 2020 Philippine Cup sa papasok na buwan.

Ang dalawa muna ang ipantatapat ni coach Leovino Austria sa 11 kalabang mga koponan habang hindi pa nakakahanap ng dagdag na pamasak sa gitna sa paglaho ni June Mar Fajardo na nag-shin fracture.

Iba na rin ang mind-set ng Beermen, hanapan ng solusyon ang team-best averages na 18.87 points at 13.0 rebounds sa nakalipas na taon ni 6-foot-10 slotman Fajardo

“The scoring and the rebounding shifted to more than one person, but when it’s all said and done, we’re still a team and we gotta keep going,” reaksiyon ni Tautuaa.

Pero hindi naman aniya kinakabog ang 6-foot-8, 245-pound Fil-Tongan sa bago niyang role bilang starting center ng serbesa.

“It’s just time for me to step up, just continue to play basketball and help the team as much as I can,” wakas na bigkas ng 30-anyos na top pick ng Talk ‘N Text sa taong 2015.

Humigit-kumulang limang buwang mawawala muna si Fajardo matapos operahan ang kanang alulod na nakuha sa praktis noong noong isang linggo kaya mas kailangan ng Beermen ang total team effort sa bawat isang miyembro.

“As far as the team goes, we’re full of vets and injuries are part of the game. We all just have to step up,” komento naman ni guard Chris Ross. “Whoever’s been here, the new guys, up to the coaches, we all believe. It’s just adjusting a bit, assigning different roles, and playing a little bit different, and we’ll go from there.” (REC)