HONTIVEROS CREDITS THE BEAST FOR ACES’ INSPIRED PLAY
“It all starts with Calvin.”
Even Dondon Hontiveros admitted that the success garnered by Alaska so far in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup can be attributed to the Beast’s impact on the court.
“Bumalik yung confidence at laro ni Calvin. Yung intensity at energy nya, nagra-rub off sa other guys. Minsan, pagpasok nya, kahit masama yung start, nadadala nya kami. Then it continues with the other guys like Vic Manuel na nagste-step up,” said the veteran gunner.
Being one of the elder statesman in the Aces, Hontiveros has also seen the hunger in Abueva’s eyes as he wants to atone for a woeful sophomore year last season.
“Nafeel ni Calvin na masama talaga yung second season nya. And it’s his contract year so he wants to prove himself na he deserves to be appreciated. He worked really hard sa offseason and nagpe-payoff naman so sana tuloy-tuloy lang. Pumasok na rin yung maturity nya,” the Cebuano Hotshot added.
And as Alaska takes a 2-1 series lead over Rain or Shine, Hontiveros said that they should learn from the miscues they committed in the first half of Game 2.
“Akala namin nung Game 1, ganun din kadali. Pero they came out firing, tapos ang dami naming turnovers. Kung di pa kami natuto, we’ll be foolish. It should serve as a lesson na rin,” Hontiveros said.
Also, will the Christmas gameday also factor in the mentality of the players?
“Ang difference lang, mas mataas yung value ng game kasi Christmas, marami kang iniisip,” Hontiveros said. “More on focus lang din ang kailangan for the game. Maganda rin kasi playoffs, semis and we have a chance of getting into the Finals so mas excited ka na may laro ka.” (RL)
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