Elite lick wounds after tough OT loss to Floodbuster
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BOCAUE – It wasn’t the Christmas gift Blackwater was expecting on Sunday.
Losing a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Elite became the first team to lose to lowly Mahindra, 97-93, in overtime this 2017 PBA Philippine Cup.
And even the players were left speechless by the devastating defeat.
“Di ko alam. Masakit,” said Mac Belo before politely excusing himself from the media scrum.
Art dela Cruz, meanwhile, mustered enough courage and took responsibility for the meltdown, saying, “No excuses. I’ll take the blame.”
The sophomore forward noted that Blackwater looked out of sync after taking a 79-64 lead with 7:50 to play in regulation, as it settled for ill-advised shots and let Mahindra gain momentum which led to the collapse.
“Wala sa amin yung eagerness na manalo. Parang lahat ng tira namin pilit, hurried shots, at napuputol yung plays,” he said. “Kailangan naming matutunan yung experience sa endgame situations, and having a team na maraming rookies, kailangang ma-overcome namin yung situations na yun.”
Blackwater also got dealt a pair of blackeyes after Dela Cruz and Kyle Pascual suffered shoulder injuries. The former, though, was still able to hang on and finish the game.
Blackwater also got dealt a pair of blackeyes after Dela Cruz and Kyle Pascual suffered shoulder injuries.
Though the former was still able to hang on and finish the game, the injury has definitely taken its toll.
“Actually, ayaw ko na nga ilaro eh, but kailangan ako ng team ko. Sabi ni coach, laro pa rin,” said dela Cruz, who was still clutching his left shoulder as he made his exit from Philippine Arena. “Malaking bagay din yung injury ni Kyle kasi doon nag-set ng tone at nag-run ang Mahindra kaya umabot ng 17-2 run.”
The Floodbuster finished the fourth on a 19-4 blast to tie the game at 83 before Alex Mallari took charge in overtime.
“Maganda sana yung Christmas sa amin pero lahat kami na-down pa. Sobrang sakit sa amin na panalo na dapat, natalo pa. Sa mga ganoong sitwasyon, laban na lang,” dela Cruz said.
Dela Cruz said that the team will look at this defeat as a huge motivation for their playoff push once the action continues next year.
“Every game counts in January, every game is important. Games will now be possession-by-possession,” he said. “Kahit malakas ang kalaban, sundin lang namin ang gameplan kailangan, wag masira ang composure namin.”
Blackwater will next face defending champion San Miguel on January 6.
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