ON SURVIVAL MODE
Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio knows the kind of mindset his charges must adopt if they are to further stoke their drive to the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup playoffs.
“The players understand that they have to do whatever it takes to win,” said Gregorio on the eve of his Bolts’ rematch with Alaska Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Both teams are aiming to break out of their current tie at sixth with San Mig Super Coffee and GlobalPort and enhance their chances of inclusion among the top eight advancing to the ensuing quarterfinals.
A loss would seriously jeopardize those same chances and the protagonists know that only too well.
“Survival mode for both teams,” noted Gregorio. “We couldn’t afford to have a lackadaisical performance. We have the same win-loss mark. We are aware of the repercussions of the game.”
Alaska coach Luigi Trillo has a slightly different concern.
“We need to be more consistent on the defensive end. Our defense is lacking. Sometimes we show up, sometimes we don’t,” said Trillo, referring mostly to the way his charges played in two overtime defeats to TNT and a four-point loss to Barako.
“We know we are capable and so is the Meralco team. They have been playing with some heartbreaking losses as well,” added Trillo.
The Aces won their first meeting, 91-82, last Dec. 18 following outstanding performances from the likes of Sonny Thoss, Dondon Hontiveros and Cyrus Baguio.
“The first time we played, Thoss bullied us inside, Hontiveros had his best scoring night with 24 while Baguio hit critical shots too,” said Gregorio. “We cannot afford to allow those three to replicate their performance. They must be defended well.”
Working in Alaska’s favor is the fact Meralco’s Mike Cortez and Anjo Caram are still sidelined by their respective injuries. But Gregorio said that matters little.
“We are playing depleted in manpower but full in determination,” stated Gregorio.
Alaska is expected to have its own hands full trying to contain Gary David, who torched the hoops for 34 points in a 92-88 overtime win over Air21 last Saturday, a victory aided by the likes of new acquisition Danny Ildefonso, John Wilson and Reynel Hugnatan making significant contributions.
For Gregorio, however, it’s mainly mental. “We are embracing the challenge armed with the belief that desire is our ultimate weapon,” he said.
“If we want it so bad we can have it. We will leave everything on the floor.” (NC)
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