Boatwright and the Beermen choose to put the defeat behind them as they focus on Game Four.
San Miguel was running on an 11-game win streak prior to facing Magnolia in Game Three of the PBA Commissioner's Cup titular clash last night.
Bennie Boatwright suited up in nine of those matches. The American reinforcement has not tasted a loss in the league, not until the Hotshots halted the Beermen – and Boatwright – by carving out an 88-80 victory to finally go on the board at 2-1 in their race-to-four showdown for this conference's diadem.
But the former University of Southern California Trojan is not making a big deal out of it.
There was no sign of frustration as Boatwright faced reporters after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“You’re going to lose. It’s part of life. You win some, you lose some,” Boatwright said.
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The 27-year-old gave credit to Magnolia’s defense that made life hard for him on the perimeter as he shot a woeful 4-of-13 from the three-point area.
He ended up with 27 points on 6-of-15 shooting and went on to contribute 13 rebounds, an assist and three steals against eight turnovers.
Boatwright and the Beermen, however, are not going to linger on their Game Three stumble for too long.
San Miguel, which is gunning for a record-extending 29th PBA title, will go back to the drawing board as it tries to figure out a way to regain steam.
“There’s no need to overreact. We’re going to be ready for Game Four,” said the reinforcement from Los Angeles, California.
“Whether we win a game or we lose a game, [we] stay in the same mental space,” he added.
Game Four is set tomorrow at 7:35 p.m. at the same venue. Fans can also watch it on RPTV, A2Z, PBA Rush and the Pilipinas Live app.