KIA is set for an early exit in its maiden campaign in the PBA and is already looking forward to the future.
It doesn’t mean the Sorento would not be looking to land that one telling punch when they tangle with the NLEX Road Warriors 3 p.m. Sunday at the windup of their elimination round in the Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The match matters little except pride for both teams since NLEX is sure to advance to the ensuing quarterfinals as the 10th seed while Kia is set to join fellow expansion team Blackwater in an early vacation as Nos. 11 and 12, respectively.
But the Road Warriors are bracing themselves for the first phase of the quarterfinals, where they would take on the third-seed fortified by a win-once advantage and this game could help in their preparations.
“This game is a character test for our team,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez, whose team is on a three-game slide capped by an 87-92 loss to Barako Bull last Tuesday.
“I hope this game will prepare us for the playoffs,” added Fernandez.
For Kia’s Glenn Capacio, calling the shots while playing-coach Manny Pacquiao fully gets his bearings, it is about continuing to develop that much-needed coherence for the battles ahead.
“Maging consistent,” said Capacio, who steered the team through nine straight losses following an opening day win, but engaged league heavyweights Alaska, Purefoods Star and Talk N Text through some drag-out affairs.
“Kasi we’ve been playing well naman, pero di natatapos. Maganda nakikita ko. It’s just a matter of sustaining it. Minsan we compete for 36 minutes, three quarters lang. Kung minsan naman fourth quarter lang,” added Capacio.
That consistency should be had by the time the second conference comes, when new additions and the required import could help the team improve.
“Tingin ko, three quality players away na lang kami. One or two bigs, at dalawang mga wingmen,” explained Capacio. “Kasi ang system nandiyan na, e, and they’ve bought into it. Defensively, ball movement. Kaya nga ang import na hahanapin namin one who can rebound, provide us with interior defense and, of course, scoring.”
Such talks about Kia’s future would not lull Fernandez into complacency about the present. In fact, he has drawn up a general outline of a battleplan he hopes his charges would put to good use.
“We’re worried about Kia’s press,” said Fernandez. “ We will try to limit our turnovers and execute really well. Still, it’s our defense that will be our barometer if we are going to win this game versus Kia.” (NC)
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