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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
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04
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2024
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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
26
2024
PBA IMAGES
IT SURE looks like Mahindra’s players have finally bought into the system instituted by chief assistant coach Chris Gavina, calling the shots in lieu of Manny Pacquiao.
The same, however, cannot be fully said about TNT KaTropa, as head strategist Nash Racela himself laments.
Whose game would be enough to prevail would be known Wednesday when the two collide in what should be another crucial match in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
A third straight win by the Floodbuster would continue their climb from the cellar and further fan their hopes of making it among the eight teams advancing to the playoffs following the 11-game eliminations.
“TNT is ranked among the top five in points scored per game, so we have prepared to address their ability to score by emphasizing a defensive mindset at practice,” said Gavina, whose team snapped out of a 0-5 start by beating Blackwater and followed that up with a 105-93 stunner over Meralco last week.
The Texters, on the other hand, are looking to arrest a two-game slide that would put them back among the top eight.
That is, if Racela’s charges can do a quick turnaround following a 77-88 loss to Star just last Sunday, a setback that came on the heels of a 98-110 defeat to NLEX on Jan. 7.
That loss to the Hotshots meant TNT must now win not only against Mahindra but also over GlobalPort and San Miguel Beer to land in the middle of the pack and avoid a twice-to-win handicap in the next round.
Such struggles are being attributed by Racela, who took over the team just before the season started, to his players still struggling to embrace the new, more uptempo system he has brought.
“From day one, I’ve been telling them that there has to be changes. I’ve been calling out their attentions, their names, on what they have to change. Change doesn’t happen overnight,” said Racela following the Star game.
“It’s not just letting you know of your mistake and the next day, things will change. I think they are still deciding if what we’re saying was right or wrong, and they have to think about that first before they even start changing those things,” Racela added.
“And I hope we do that in time for the playoffs.”
The load should once again fall squarely on the shoulders of Texters stalwarts Jayson Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo, mostly the former, and that is one fact Gavina anticipates.
“Being able to contain Jayson Castro is always a priority when facing TNT as well as keeping his teammates from getting clean looks due to his activity we have addressed as well,”” said Gavina.
“We’re looking to maintain our uptempo style with them while being disciplined on defense.”
After Mahindra torched Meralco with 21 triples, seven of them from Philip Paniamogan, Racela knows exactly
what his wards must do defensively.
“We need to double our efforts in covering Mahindra’s shooters. Their confidence is high coming off back-to-back wins and they are making their shots at a very high percentage,” said Racela.
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