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PBA: Iba ang may pinagsamahan? Ato Agustin compares 1989, 2018 SMB teams

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Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/04/11/san-miguel-beer.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>One common trait shared by newly crowned PBA all-Filipino champion San Miguel Beer and its 1989 Grand Slam-winning predecessor? Chemistry and camaraderie, says Beermen great Ato Agustin. Richard Esguerra, ABS-CBN Sports</figcaption></figure></div>With its PBA Philippine Cup win over Magnolia last week, San Miguel Beer cemented its place among the most dominant all-Filipino teams in league history.It was almost as sweet as the Beermen’s historic Gland Slam campaign back in 1989.Ato Agustin, now one of San Miguel’s assistant coaches, was part of that 3-peat team nearly 30 years ago.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/11/18/pba-marcio-lassiter-ready-to-heed-gilas-call-im-always-willing-to-play">PBA: Marcio Lassiter ready to heed Gilas call — ‘I’m always willing to play’</a></li>	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/10/18/pba-smbs-austria-plans-to-play-june-mar-standhardinger-import-at-same-time">PBA: SMB’s Austria plans to play June Mar, Standhardinger, import at same time</a></li></ul>So what are the similarities between San Miguel’s two title-winning squads?“Chemistry and camaraderie,” said Agustin, nicknamed the “Atom Bomb” in his heyday“Maganda ang chemistry ng team na ito. Nag-mature na kasi ang mga player,” he added, referring to the current club.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/06/18/pba-this-time-san-miguel-can-lay-claim-to-never-say-die-title">PBA: This time, San Miguel can lay claim to never-say-die title</a></li></ul>The former San Miguel shooting guard and 1-time MVP said it took this team years to develop the chemistry they have been enjoying these days. “I think nag-start ito back 2015 noong nasa Ginebra pa ako (as coach) . . . Napapanood ako ng games nila,” he said. “Nakita ko ang pagkakaiba nila noon at ngayon. Parang nahinog na. ‘Yun pa rin naman ang core e, ‘yun pa rin ang lineup.”He was referring to the likes of Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos.Agustin said chemistry was also what they had in the 1989 champion team.“Nung nag-Grand Slam kami parang ganun din,” he said. “Kasi nu&#x27;ng pumasok ako noong 1989 &#x27;yun na &#x27;yung group na &#x27;yun. 1988 nananalo na sila, so pagpasok ko buo na ang chemistry nila.”<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/10/18/pba-smbs-austria-plans-to-play-june-mar-standhardinger-import-at-same-time">PBA: SMB’s Austria plans to play June Mar, Standhardinger, import at same time</a></li></ul>Back then they had legends such as Ramon Fernandez, Samboy Lim, Alvin Teng, Hector Calma and Ricardo Brown.Agustin said developing chemistry and closeness always takes time.“Hindi biglaan ito, hindi pwedeng &#x27;yung pagsalpak mo ng mga players mananalo na agad . . . Kelangan mag-mature, magkaalaman, at ‘yung samahan gumaganda talaga,” he said. (For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.)

Agustin, an assistant coach on the current Beermen squad, played a key role in San Miguel's Grand Slam campaign in 1989.

Agustin, an assistant coach on the current Beermen squad, played a key role in San Miguel's Grand Slam campaign in 1989.

PBA: Iba ang may pinagsamahan? Ato Agustin compares 1989, 2018 SMB teams

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PBA: Iba ang may pinagsamahan? Ato Agustin compares 1989, 2018 SMB teams

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 11, 2018 08:04 PM PHT

|

Updated April 12, 2018 05:48 AM PHT

Read More:

San Miguel Beer

Ato Agustin

Grand Slam Team

All-Filipino Cup

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