RIGHT MIX, RIGHT SYSTEM
With NLEX going toe-to-toe with Ginebra in the first half of their game last Wednesday, it seemed like the loser will be the first one to blink.
Mac Cardona would have none of it, as he poured in 16 points in the second half to finish with 25 points alongside six rebounds to steer the Road Warriors to a 97-81 rout of Barangay Ginebra, dealing the crowd favorites their first loss of the tourney.
But for Captain Hook, he said that it’s just the style of play employed by coach Boyet Fernandez that has allowed him to deliver in big ways for NLEX.
“Siguro suited lang sa akin yung dribble-drive. From coach Chot (Reyes) pa lang, sanay na ako dun kaya ako nakakakilos ng ganito,” he said.
Aside from their offense, Cardona said that what has won them the game is their defense, as they limited Ginebra to just 81 points.
“Nag-usap kami after namin matalo sa Talk ‘N Text. In our last two games, nagbibigay kami ng 99 points. Sabi ni coach, baliktarin naman namin. Focus naman kami sa depensa ngayon. Yun siguro ang nagawa namin tonight. Nalimit namin sila,” Cardona said.
It also helps that they reduced their turnovers from a horrible 29 times against Talk ‘N Text to just nine against the Kings.
“Nagising kami. Sabi ni coach, ingatan namin yung bola kaya naging okay naman kami,” said Cardona.
But more than anything, it’s the Road Warriors’ chemistry which will help them reach the Promised Land as they try to make noise in NLEX’s first conference in the PBA.
“Okay yung mix namin. May role kami talaga sa team. Maganda ang vibes namin sa isa’t isa. Start pa lang, magkakapatid kami dito kaya nagsho-show din siguro sa game,” he said. (RL)
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