Back-to-back losses serve as wake up call for Blackwater
Amid Blackwater’s precarious start, Art dela Cruz admitted that the two-game losing skid was a humbling experience for the team.
“It was a wake up call for us. We made it a motivation and we moved on. It was tough for us because this is a very different conference for us,” the sophomore forward said.
With the Elite brought back down to earth after a 2-0 opening, they picked up the pieces and pulled off the 96-85 win over NLEX on Wednesday to halt their skid.
Dela Cruz finished with 18 points and eight rebounds to lead Blackwater, which found a way to regain its defensive intensity to repulse the injury-riddled Road Warriors.
“Ang kulang lang namin doon sa dalawang talo namin is defense. Kaya sa past few practices namin, yun ang inuna namin. Nag-settle kami talaga sa defense kaya kami nanalo,” he said.
Also helping the Elite is the coaching staff defining every one’s roles, with specific instructions given to the players in preparation for the games.
“Sa practice pa lang, alam na namin yung roles. Wala namang star player sa amin na sinasabi ni coach na bigyan namin ng bola. Kung sino lang talaga pinaka-open, doon namin pinapasa,” he said. “Luckily, lahat kami naka-contribute. Actually, yung points namin dikit-dikit lang and yun nga, maganda lang laro namin ngayon.”
Dela Cruz is keeping his hopes up that this will be the start of another winning run, especially with Blackwater’s next games against GlobalPort and its Christmas day duel against Mahindra.
“Sobrang taas ng kumpyansa namin especially nanalo kami kay coach Yeng Guiao. Malaking bagay yun,” he said. “Sana madala namin, maging consistent kami.”
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
