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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
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05
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10
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2024
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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
05
10
2024
Through five extra minutes, the Mahindra Enforcers pulled off a 100-92 reversal over the Star Hotshots and old champion import Marqus Blakely on opening night of the 2016 PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.
Import James White, LA Revilla, Aldrech Ramos and KG Canaleta squeezed it through in overtime, handing Chris Gavina a triumphant PBA coaching debut.
“I’d like to dedicate my first win to my dad who passed away last year. It’s a blessing from above. I’m humbled. It’s a dream come true,” said Gavina, formerly skills and conditioning coach of Globalport then Mahindra.
“He’s like coach Joe (Lipa). He’s crazy. Coach Joe is a tremendous inspiration on what he’s provided Philippine basketball. His insight and knowledge of course is a huge help,” Gavina also said.
The rookie PBA coach heaped praises to his players for their great effort.
Special mention was given James White who gallantly stood his ground against two-time PBA champion import Blakely, piling up 22 points and eight rebounds against two turnovers in 36:14 minutes of action.
Iranian import Iman Zandi was under the weather but had an essential contribution with 15 points on a perfect 5-of-5 clip from beyond the arc.
Ramos, Canaleta, Revilla and Paolo Taha were the Mahindra locals who rose to the occasion as the Enforcers survived a grind in regulation play and lived on in the extension play, coming through with an upset win right at the start of the season-ending tourney.
It was a morale-boosting triumph for the Enforcers, an expansion team yet to make the playoff play in the local pro league.
“Great effort from my guys. Our long preparation nurtured our confidence. We had an up-and-down preseason. As coaches, we were trying to figure out our rotation. The win was a testament to the commitment to the hard work and work ethic of the guys,” said Gavino.
Revilla nailed a three-pointer then Ramos knocked in two charities as the Enforcers seized control early in overtime and went on to repulse Blakely and the Hotshots.
Blakely put in 21 markers and 15 boards for the Hotshots who also drew double-digit outputs from Mark Barroca (15), PJ Simon (12) and trade recruit RR Garcia (10).
James Yap had a woeful 1-of-12 field shooting and finished with only four points.
Yap missed a three-pointer in the waning seconds and the game went into overtime at 87-all.
Mahindra had its chance to break the 87-all tie but Canaleta muffed a 15-footer with 16 seconds to go.
The first 40 minutes was a tough grind marked by 16 deadlocks and 19 lead changes. (SB)
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