Even with a few days off, San Miguel Beer coach Siot Tanquincen sees no significant advantage over their would-be opponent in the PBA Fiesta Cup Finals.

Even with a few days off, San Miguel Beer coach Siot Tanquincen sees no significant advantage over their would-be opponent in the PBA Fiesta Cup Finals.

The defending champion Beermen were the first to clinch a spot in the best-of-seven championship series after beating reigning Philippine Cup titlist B-Meg Derby Ace in six games of their seven-game showdown.

San Miguel proved steadier down the stretch in Game 6 to score a 91-83 victory last Sunday at the packed Araneta Coliseum, claiming its 31st Finals appearance and 27th in an import-laden conference.

With that, SMB has a chance to become the first team to defend a title in eight years since Red Bull in the 2002 Commissioner’s Cup.

“For sure there’s going to be an advantage, we could at least analyze our opponent,” Tanquincen said. “We only have a few days left to prepare. At least we have the headway.”

San Miguel Beer will either face Talk ’N Text or Alaska, which won Game Six, 94-83, forging a do-or-die Game 7 on Wednesday at the Big Dome.

“Both teams are tough, we’ll prepare for both of them. Pero walang pwede na pagpilian, they’re both playing very good. I haven’t seen their plans, but I know for sure everything goes down the wire,” Tanquincen said.

San Miguel took a day-off on Monday, according to Tanquincen, to give his players time to rest and recover from minor injuries.

Practice session will resume this Tuessday.

The Beermen took a 3-1 lead in their semifi nal series with the Llamados, but dropped Game 5 (88-82), with Tanquincen lashing out at his team for not going all out.

Last Sunday, SMB displayed remarkable endgame poise while B-Meg crumbled, particularly James Yap, who missed two crucial free throws and a three-pointer with his team just down 75-81 with three minutes to play.

“That’s the glaring difference, our effort in the game. B-Meg is a proud champion, a proud team. I told my players ‘nothing’s going to be given to us (easily) we have to work for it’, and we did,” Tanquincen said.

In the end, import Gabe Freeman, who is also eyeing his second straight Best Import award, tallied 26 points and 22 rebounds, while wingman Jay Washington contributed 18 markers and 13 boards.

Tanquincen, who is 3-0 in the Finals, said he needs a balanced attack with Freeman and Washington leading the charge with able support from Arwind Santos, Dondon Hontiveros, Alex Cabagnot, Danny Ildefonso and Joseph Yeo for SMB to win its 19th conference championship.