Whether winning via a breeze or doing it the hard way, the Zamboanga-Master Sardines had found ways to pull off a victory.
For the first time in five games, Zamboanga was able to experience its biggest test, trailing by as many as 18 points, but finding the resolve to win and score a come-from-behind 85-83 triumph over South Cotabato in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League at the San Andres Gym in Manila.
A pissed off Louie Alas regathered his troops in the third period and gave them some tongue-lashing, but that served as a wake up call for Zamboanga, which willed itself back into the contest slowly but surely after being down, 36-54, in the early goings of the third frame.
But Zamboanga responded by shutting down South Cotabato in the next six minutes going to the final quarter, holding the Warriors without a field goal and in exchange, unleashed a 15-3 flurry to get back into the contest and chop down the lead to only six, 51-57, off a jumper from JC Marcelino.
“I was super, super pissed off nung first half,” said Zamboanga coach Louie Alas. “Kasi lahat ng pinag-aralan namin, hindi namin ginagawa. I know nag-prepare yung kalaban.”
“Pero sabi ko nga sa kanila, ‘OK lang na magalit ako ng magalit, maski magtampo kayo sa akin, OK lang sa akin para maiparamdam ko sa inyo.’ Yung capabilities namin, sinabi ko nga sa kanila, ‘dahil mabilis ba mabilis tayo, malakas resistensiya natin, hindi tayo mautak?’ We need to be a smart player, not just a basketball player.'”
But when it comes to winning time, Zamboanga was able to get the job done as the twins — Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino — along with Joseph Gabayni delivered the telling baskets to shove their team to their fifth consecutive victory in as many games to grab solo lead in the standings.
For Alas, there’s much room to learn for Zamboanga as far as improvement is concerned.
“Super dami,” Alas responded when asked by Pinoystep.com about the things Zamboanga needs to improve on.
“Understatement yung madami. Super dami,” added Alas. “We’re taking two days off, but we’re going to spend more time reviewing, puro video.”
Despite the ugly win, Zamboanga was able to escape with the victory and Alas and his wards can now look forward to just continue to get better to make it to the next level.
Last season, Zamboanga made a deep run to the playoffs, but fell short.
Jaycee, the former PBA player, is looking beyond his team’s perfect record.
“Hindi namin iniisip na 5-0 kami,” he added. “Ayaw naming maging over confident o magkumpiyansa. Gusto namin sa bawat pagsabak sa game, 0-0 kami. Para mas hungry kami na kunin yung panalo.”
