It’s Juami Tiongson’s first trip to a PBA Finals, but the San Miguel Beer guard will enter the high-stakes Philippine Cup series with wisdom gained from playing with champions he only used to watch in the past.
Less than 48 hours after helping the Beermen snag the last ticket to the centerpiece conference’s last dance, Tiongson said that while he will be playing in his first championship series, he has gained the right knowledge—and has the tools—to do his share and boost San Miguel to capturing the coveted Jun Bernardino Perpetual Trophy.
“I’m learning so much just watching them be themselves and being aggressive every day,” the former Terrafirma scoring ace, who found a home with a squad that contends, told the Inquirer. He talked about his San Miguel teammates who have dominated the all-Filipino scene for the last decade or so.
“They’re so much fun to watch. I really learn a lot from them even during practice,” Tiongson added. “You just learn a lot going up against these guys [everyday].”
Tiongson admitted to having problems with the Barangay Ginebra defense in the semifinals. In the Beermen’s 100-93 closeout of the Gin Kings at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night, Tiongson scored just six points.
Chris Ross plugged that hole and the words of wisdom Tiongson heard from the many-time champion point guard were the most valuable lesson he learned after that Game 7 win.
“I have to give credit to my teammates, especially Chris Ross,” Tiongson said, beaming with pride after witnessing a “Playoff Ross” classic in real time.
“He’s been telling me to just be me and enjoy the game the way I did with Terrafirma. He’s always in my ear telling me that in order for us to be in the Finals, ‘we need you to be you.’”
Ross showed Tiongson what stepping up at the clutch meant after an effort of 19 points, seven assists, four steals and three rebounds.
And Tiongson wants to be able to contribute something like that stat-line for the Beermen to reclaim their old throne and deny TNT its Grand Slam date. He now has his chance.
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