TNT interim coach Jojo Lastimosa in Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup semi-final against Meralco. PBA . IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—TNT’s loss to Meralco on Sunday in the PBA Governors’ Cup semi-final left top seed Tropang Giga unable to chart a short path to the championship series.
But for Jojo Lastimosa, a 124-117 loss in extra time at Antipolo City could well be the push he needs at this stage of the tournament.
“We didn’t play well overall and we made a lot of weird plays,” the interim coach told the Inquirer on the eve of Game 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, who was in control. short term 5. series.
“I hope the loss wakes us up from cruise control,” he said.
Before that loss in Game 2, TNT had only lost once during the season finale. In February, Tropang Giga faltered against another brother company, NLEX, 110-108, in a knockout match.
The perennial heavyweights accepted that defeat and marched 10-1, making them the top seed of the tournament.
And that poise is, perhaps, largely the reason why Lastimosa failed to hit any big plans ahead of the 5:45 p.m. rematch.
“We were defeated on the counter-attack, so we hope to have a better recovery effort in Game 3,” he continued.
Mikey Williams had 29 points but was barely a factor in the fourth inning, where the Bolts held a fight against their morale. But Lastimosa was not someone who could make a mountain out of that rubble.
“Mikey brought us back in the third quarter. He was probably just feeling tired, he said.
Lastimosa’s greatness is a stark study of how San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent approached Wednesday’s closing game.
With their backs against the wall, Gallent says their position against defending champion Barangay Ginebra will no longer depend on “X and Os”, but instead on effort.
“We have to play with discipline, we have to play with patience. Here’s what I said to the team after the game: When we won we were number 1 in assists, now wala. Now, we are down to 8th place,” he said.
“So if you don’t share the ball…if you don’t play as a unit we will never beat Ginebra, because we already know. [kind of] defense [they] Have.”
A loss would snuff out San Miguel’s chances of claiming a second crown this PBA season. Making the Beermen’s chances bleak is the timeline of Mar Fajardo’s return in June, which is only possible if the club makes it to the championship series.
“I have to push them…so their thoughts [steers clear] from sabbatical,” Gallent said. “As long as there is an opportunity, my job is to motivate them.”
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