BARANGAY Ginebra has been dealing with a lot of issues as it continues to slump in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, from the fate of import Leon Rodgers to its unique coaching set-up to a bum call in a loss to Talk 'N Text.
But for Jayjay Helterbrand, Ginebra's struggles boil down to one thing: lack of effort.
A self-examination may be in order for the league's most popular team as Helterbrand rattled off a litany of problems Ginebra is dealing with - rebounding, defense, turnovers - only because the Kings are not playing hard enough.
“Defense is part of it, rebounding, us turning the ball over, not knowing our plays, effort. What else? All the little things that we need to win the ball game, we don’t do,” rued Helterbrand after a 87-94 loss to Talk 'N Text on Sunday - Ginebra's third in five games in the conference.
The 37-year-old former Kentucky State University standout, who had two points, two rebounds and three assists in a brief seven-minute exposure on Sunday, said Ginebra coaches have been constantly reminding them that winning games simply goes beyond the “X’s and O’s."
“Coach was telling us, it’s not about X’s and O’s, or plays. If you don’t put the effort, we’re not gonna win games, especially when we play good teams,” Helterbrand said.
"If you don’t (play hard), that’s gonna be the result."
Helterbrand said even if the Gin Kings tap a new import to replace Rodgers, who has come under fire for the team’s slow start, things won’t change if the rest of the team do not put in the effort on the floor.
“Leon does his thing. He’s a good teammate, a good import for us. But like I said, if we don’t do the little things, it doesn’t matter who we got, we’re not gonna win,” said Helterbrand.
Helterbrand and Ginebra have only two days to regroup before going back to action on Wednesday when it plays Air21.
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