Austria preaches consistency in SMB's redemption tour

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria said part of the Beermen's drive to regain respectability in the league is to be able to play with consistency and rediscover their killer instinct in the PBA Philippine Cup.

So far, the Beermen are doing well four games in the all-Filipino conference, chalking up its third win last Friday via its 104-93 spanking of tournament favorite Barangay Ginebra.

"I think that's the lesson we have learned (from the past), that we have tendency to relax, but before the third quarter (against Ginebra), I reminded them this is pivotal and we can't relax," stressed Austria, whose team went on to pepper Ginebra with 12 triples en route to the lopsided win.

"We want to have the killer instinct and develop that and get better and better because we're the target of every opponent," he added.

SMB's only blemish from its record came from its 95-98 overtime loss to Magnolia prior to the Holy Week break.

Still, Austria said they don't intend to relax and be contented with whete they are early this conference, knowing they have a lot of work to do in order to go deep into the playoffs.

"As far as our team is concerned, we have to be consistent with how we play," said the nine-time PBA champion coach.

"I'm so happy for them because everybody is responding, and everybody is on the same page," he added.

San Miguel is currently on a long break and won't return to action till May 3 when the team clashes with grand slam-seeking TNT.