LABAN KAMI – ENERGY COACH TANQUINGCEN
After their impressive win over the Meralco Bolts in their Governors’ Cup opener, Barako Bull Energy coach Siot Tanquingcen is the quickest to ‘hold down his horses.’
Instead of giving his team a quick rest, the three-time champion coach called on his players for practice to prepare for a bigger task ahead – a Wednesday game against debuting defending champion San Mig Super Coffee.
“Wala, hindi ko na sila pinagpahinga. Kailangan naming maghanda, mabigat ang next assignment namin eh,” said Tanquingcen shortly after their Monday afternoon practice at the Gatorade Hoops Center.
“What can you say about them, they’re the champions for three conferences in a row. Malakas talaga,” he added.
Tanquingcen bared how they carefully laid down the plans for his team as they hope to continue with their winning ways.
“We are not going to just lay down and die. Laban kami. We’ll do whatever we can,” he said. “We’re doing everything as a team. Gusto namin mag improve kaya focused kami dun!”
The multi-titled mentor believes they’ll be the underdogs but it’s one thing he doesn’t want his players to dwell in.
“Alam naman natin na San Mig is chasing greatness. Grand slam ang target nila, so kami naman, sisikapin namin na gawin ang lahat to prevent them from scoring a win against us,” he said.
Tanquingcen also discounted the fact that San Mig is still on Cloud 9 after its Commissioner’s Cup conquest last Thursday.
“Sana nga ganun ang kaso, wala pa sila sa focus. Pero knowing coach Tim (Cone) he knows how to put the focus of his players back. Walang kaso kung ngayon or sa latter part ng tournament namin sila makalaban,” he said.
“Basta kami ang gagawin namin is we will do what we can do. We want to end on top din, syempre,” said the former UST Tiger.
“Ang maganda kasi sa team ngayon, maganda ang rhythm namin saka yung camaraderie ng players andun na,” Tanquingcen added.
And with a prolific import in Eric Wise, the Barako Bull coach is hoping against hope that they can be one of the toughest teams in the league today.
“Siguro against San Mig, yun ang difference namin. Nakapag jell na si Eric sa locals namin, unlike dun sa San Mig na kakasimula pa lang nila to prepare for the Governors’ Cup,” he said.
Tanquingcen also revealed how his reinforcement is excited to test his mettle against a champion team like San Mig.
“Eric is a good player and he’s been here for weeks now, he already saw the Finals. So I am hoping he wants to show off din against San Mig,” Tanquincen said.
“Saka sa mga players sinabi ko na may mga dadaanan tayong ups and downs, kaya kailangan tulong-tulong lang,” he concluded. “Tiwala lang ba sa isa’t isa.” (SBadua)
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