DESPERATE TIMES
TALK N Text coach Jong Uichico has been with his team long enough to know it would finally sort out its act – sooner rather than later.
“It’s just a matter of attitude,” said Uichico. “The players are trying. It’s just the second effort needed from every one. Hopefully, it’s not too late.”
The Tropang Texters could do so as early as Friday when they take on an equally free-falling Blackwater crew in the PBA Governors’ Cup 4:15 p.m. match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A win is a must for both teams since it would not only stop their alarming skids but also recharge their bid to make it among the top eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals at the end of the 11-game eliminations.
To further fan their chances, the Elite are set to parade new import Marcus Cousin in lieu of Marcus Douthit, who has averaged 20.3 points, 12.71 rebounds and 3.29 blocks per game but is currently with the national basketball team competing in the Singapore SEA Games.
The 6-foot-11 Cousin, 28, saw brief action for the Utah Jazz but has mainly plied his wares in Turkey, Russia, Japan, Central and South America and the NBA D-League.
Such a wealth of experience should serve Blackwater in good stead as it has lost three straight and another defeat would practically quash its chances.
More eyebrows have been raised by TNT, which was on a high after topping the Commissioner’s Cup just short of two months ago, but now plumbing the depths after losing four straight.
Uichico has said the “championship hangover” is just part of the problem for his squad.
“Injuries also and meron ding some other factors here and there,” he said following a 96-101 loss to San Miguel Beer last Tuesday.
“All put together, it’s a big thing, so we can’t solve problems at one given time. So we take it one problem at a time,” added Uichico.
“It’s hard to pinpoint right now,” Uichico continued. “There are a lot of things that you can say is the problem. You have to take one problem at a time and then, we’ll see what happens in the next few games.”
A very bright note for TNT is the fact Jayson Castro has been flashing the form that made him Best Player in the mid-season tourney, averaging 22 points and almost five assists per game.
Although bothered by a gimpy knee, Ranidel de Ocampo has also been lending support to imports Steffphon Pettigrew and Sam Daghles. (NC)
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