No holiday break pays off for Quiñahan, GlobalPort
PBA IMAGES
GlobalPort’s JR Quiñahan felt relieved that all the sacrifices they made during the holidays earned them a win in their first game of the year in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup.
Coming off a 26-point meltdown against Phoenix last Dec. 28, the Batang Pier opted to spend the holidays at the gym rather than staying at home with their families.
“Focused kami sa two-week practice namin. Buti nag-pay off naman yung walang binigay na break. So yung mga players bumawi naman,” said Quiñahan after emerging from the dugout Friday night at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, City.
The Batang Pier’s determination to win was evident in their 97-89 victory against Meralco as they fended off a late charge by the Bolts.
“Nung nag-rally yung Meralco, bumaba na naman yung energy namin. So puro fastbreaks and layups sila. Kaya during a time-out, sabi ni coach yung mga layups nila, yun ang pigilan namin. Makukuha namin yung game,” shared Quiñahan.
Quiñahan said the team wanted to win the game badly for coach Franz Pumaren, who had to cut short his business engagement in Europe in the aftermath of the team’s 99-101 loss to Phoenix to figure out what went wrong.
“Talagang determinado kaming manalo para kay coach, kasi dapat nasa bakasyon pa siya. So parang naging Christmas gift namin ito sa kanya kasi talagang masakit yung dalawang talo namin eh.” Quiñahan said.
GlobalPort improved to 4-3 to tie Phoenix at the fourth spot. Onofre John Andres
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