Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 78
PACQUIAO’S SORENTO EYEING KO OF ROAD WARRIORS
Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 153
Warning: Undefined variable $nocontent in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 236
Warning: Undefined variable $iscovid in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 239
Warning: Undefined variable $FEAT_STORIES in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 685
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 688
Warning: Undefined array key 0 in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 730
KIA is set for an early exit in its maiden campaign in the PBA and is already looking forward to the future.
It doesn’t mean the Sorento would not be looking to land that one telling punch when they tangle with the NLEX Road Warriors 3 p.m. Sunday at the windup of their elimination round in the Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The match matters little except pride for both teams since NLEX is sure to advance to the ensuing quarterfinals as the 10th seed while Kia is set to join fellow expansion team Blackwater in an early vacation as Nos. 11 and 12, respectively.
But the Road Warriors are bracing themselves for the first phase of the quarterfinals, where they would take on the third-seed fortified by a win-once advantage and this game could help in their preparations.
“This game is a character test for our team,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez, whose team is on a three-game slide capped by an 87-92 loss to Barako Bull last Tuesday.
“I hope this game will prepare us for the playoffs,” added Fernandez.
For Kia’s Glenn Capacio, calling the shots while playing-coach Manny Pacquiao fully gets his bearings, it is about continuing to develop that much-needed coherence for the battles ahead.
“Maging consistent,” said Capacio, who steered the team through nine straight losses following an opening day win, but engaged league heavyweights Alaska, Purefoods Star and Talk N Text through some drag-out affairs.
“Kasi we’ve been playing well naman, pero di natatapos. Maganda nakikita ko. It’s just a matter of sustaining it. Minsan we compete for 36 minutes, three quarters lang. Kung minsan naman fourth quarter lang,” added Capacio.
That consistency should be had by the time the second conference comes, when new additions and the required import could help the team improve.
“Tingin ko, three quality players away na lang kami. One or two bigs, at dalawang mga wingmen,” explained Capacio. “Kasi ang system nandiyan na, e, and they’ve bought into it. Defensively, ball movement. Kaya nga ang import na hahanapin namin one who can rebound, provide us with interior defense and, of course, scoring.”
Such talks about Kia’s future would not lull Fernandez into complacency about the present. In fact, he has drawn up a general outline of a battleplan he hopes his charges would put to good use.
“We’re worried about Kia’s press,” said Fernandez. “ We will try to limit our turnovers and execute really well. Still, it’s our defense that will be our barometer if we are going to win this game versus Kia.” (NC)
Warning: Undefined array key "TESTPAGE" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 254
Warning: Undefined array key "fb" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 280
Warning: Undefined variable $thinq in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 318
Warning: Undefined variable $var_sports_vlurb in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 328
Warning: Undefined variable $mindanaoQuake2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 442
Warning: Undefined variable $showSolicit_batanes in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 459
Warning: Undefined variable $seagames in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 475
Warning: Undefined variable $tokyoOlympics2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 481
Warning: Undefined variable $help_taal in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 490
Warning: Undefined variable $help_ompong in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 525
Warning: Undefined variable $elections_2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 538
Warning: Undefined variable $typhoon_2018_redirect in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 543
Warning: Undefined variable $ncov2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 555
Warning: Undefined variable $tyhoon2020_marthon in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 578
Warning: Undefined variable $dotnet23 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 585
Warning: Undefined variable $suicide in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 595
Warning: Undefined variable $yearend2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 600
Warning: Undefined array key "inqplus_test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 609
Warning: Undefined array key "newreadnext" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 664
Warning: Undefined array key "test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 802
EDITORS' PICK
Warning: Undefined variable $data_for_HompageFG_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 816
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 819
Warning: Undefined variable $MR_data_for_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
Warning: Undefined variable $bc_tag in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 1239
