Dragons coach Goorjian likened the Comm’s Cup Finals against crowd-loving Gin Kings to ‘us against the world’, but made it clear they were here to win
No defensive pressure could trap the Dragon in Game 2. —Photo by AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Coach Brian Goorjian talked about the new things the Gulf Dragons are experiencing and will continue to experience in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioners Cup Final series against Barangay Ginebra.
That includes playing the same role as a heel wrestler who has been booed and mocked by partisan fans since this began and will last at least the next three games of the title war. enemy.
“It was like coming here in the army. It is us against the world. Put your helmet on, let’s go,” Brian Goorjian said as the Dragons were forced to split the first two games after Wednesday’s 99-82 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
That is the mentality that the visitors from Hong Kong are aiming for, especially after getting a breakthrough victory over Gin Kings before heading into a week-long break to celebrate the new year.
“I think our boys got that, and I told them, [being in the Finals] do not come often. Enjoy the experience, get out of this environment and play under this pressure. It has to be something you like,” Goorjian added.
The Bay Area overcame the best of seven games by removing the effects of the Christmas Day defeat three nights earlier with a more relaxed performance even in front of a crowd of 16,044 who didn’t want to witness. ant Dragons win at the Big Dome.
Improved sniper ability
Import Andrew Nicholson seems to have found an antidote to the underlying fitness while Zhu Songwei got off to a strong start thanks to his versatility in attacking the basket and shooting out.
Another key factor is the Bay Area’s outside fire, which improved slightly from 31% (13 out of 42) to 36% (11 out of 30) in Game 2. But the moment the Dragon converted it in both two innings is huge because those shots can make it difficult for Gin Kings to return.
Hayden Blankley knocked out half of his six triple attempts in a stunning rebound after missing all nine from there in a 96-81 defeat in Game 1 of the Bay Area.
“I told the team to do what you did in the previous game. Take your photo, you have my full support. I will train the other side of the ball — counterattack, defense,” he said.
Goorjian has shortened his rotation by spending dense playing time with Nicholson, Zhu, Glen Yang, Kobey Lam, Blankley and Ju Mingxin, another local player who is starting to play an important role in the country. this stage of the campaign.
Ju scored nine points, including a three at the end of the first quarter. While the Dragons have a 17-point advantage whenever he’s on the floor, he’s primarily tasked with a defensive goal against Justin Brownlee and the other Ginebra wingers.
The complete shift from learning to experience the Finals the hard way is a positive for Goorjian and the Dragons, who hope to see their growth translate into three more wins over the Gin Kings and their supporters.
“A lot of talk about youth and learning and all this. We’re here through that process to win this damn thing. I’ve been in this game for a long time. you don’t get in [the Finals] very often. I don’t,” said Goorjian.
“And when I go in there and we go in, I’m trying to make them realize, it doesn’t happen often. How many of you have played in one before? No arms were raised.
“So this is special. study on hop. We are here to win,” he concluded. request
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