Star close to hitting peak form just in time for quarterfinals
Star Hotshots. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
After finally entering the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup, Marc Pingris and PJ Simon believe the Hotshots is close to hitting the peak at just the right time.
“Our ball movement was key, it has improved quite well. Your overall game, and team, will improve if you space the floor and have open shooters waiting,” Pingris said Friday. “One person can’t do all on his own.”
Pingris, who finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, added their defense is picking up but it still has to improve.
“We still have to work on our defense,” Pingris said. “The offense still needs a little work but just a little bit more.”
Simon, who had a season-high 26 points, knows the quarterfinals are not going to be easy especially that the Hotshots face a twice-to-beat disadvantage in the playoffs as they would matchup against the fourth seed.
He added complacency and inconsistency have plagued them throughout the conference as Star has never won back-to-back yet.
“After we win, we would relax, and that was a problem for us,” Simon said.
Pingris, though, is confident they could snap out of that mentality come playoffs and exude the winning form they once had as Grand Slam champions.
“Even without coach Tim we know we still have that spirit, that winning energy,” Pingris said.
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