San Miguel Beer’s EJ Anosike is looking for a new challenge when launching Converge. —August Delacruz
Converge coach Franco Atienza expects the two teams to clash in Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal showdown on Friday against an “angry” San Miguel beer team.
He doesn’t even know the half of it.
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“We’re doing it, that’s all,” Beermen EJ Anosike deadpanned to the Inquirer.
The Nigerian-American import team survived not just a heartbreaking collapse in Game 3 on Monday, but the Fiber Xers overcame a 27-point deficit and escaped with a 114-112 victory on Alec Stockton’s buzzer-beating jumper. .
EASL loss
Two nights after that heartbreaking loss, the Beermen opened their international campaign in the East Asian Super League (EASL) with an 87-81 defeat to South Korea’s Suwon KT Sonic Boom at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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Those losing streaks were Anosike’s only two losses for the Beermen since replacing Jordan Adams. And Converge knows exactly which San Miguel team it will face in the showdown at 7:30 p.m.
“We have to be ready to face a San Miguel team that is angry about the loss and wants to fight back,” Atienza said.
“We know and realize that San Miguel will come out stronger,” he added. “They probably… [be] Friday will be even sharper, especially [Game 3] They lost in a match against an international team and were eliminated. ”
The way Anosike plays against Suwon, his former team when he played professionally in the Korean Basketball League in 2022, could once again cause problems for Converge.
Anosike had 34 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals against the Sonic Booms.
vs Kings
He’s scoring 36.0 points primarily from inside, but he’s also found consistency from the outside with five 3-pointers already. Anosike had 9.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the series.
“[T]Hutt is exactly the kind of player I am. I go out and play every night and try to put my team in a position to win,” Anosike said. “I think anything can happen in these playoffs. So there’s a lesson to be learned. We’ve got to be more disciplined to get the job done in the next game.”
“We can’t take any chances. It’s the playoffs. Every game is important,” he added.
The winner of this quarterfinal pairing will advance to the semifinals against Barangay Ginebra, which defeated Meralco in the series.
Coaches Tim Cone and Justin Brownlee watched the EASL doubleheader, giving them a chance to scout San Miguel and Anosike.
Anosike, who is the nephew of former Red Bull champion import Julius Nwosu, cousin of La Salle reinforcement Henry Agnanne and good friends with No. 2 pick and Blackwater’s Cedric Barefield, is here. He certainly has good connections with the players he trades with in the Philippines. .
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“I think I’m just enjoying being in the Philippines, this beautiful country. I’m happy to be able to experience this and play basketball as well,” he said.
