BINAN, Laguna — Gelo Alolino lit up the scoreboard in Tanduay’s 89-75 win over Phoenix in Game 2 of 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup finals on Tuesday at the Alonte Sports Arena, then quickly shot down speculation that he was extra motivated to show up good pal and newly named MVP Mike Tolomia.
Alolino led the Rhum Masters with 26 points, including 10 in the final period, but the Tanduay guard was quick to show his support to his Phoenix counterpart Tolomia, who played poorly with only eight points to show after receiving the MVP award.
[See Flu no excuse for MVP Tolomia, will suit up in Game Three]
"Hands down kay Mike, pinaghirapan nya yun. Mike is my good friend. Teammate ko before sa RP team. Happy ako na nakuha nya at deserving naman [na siya ang] makakuha sa amin nun," said the Las Pinas-based cager.
Alolino instead said he was just trying to rescue the Rhum Masters from the jaws of elimination.
[See Tanduay forces title decider in Game Two romp over Phoenix]
"Sabi ni coach, do-or-die kami. Bigay na lahat. Wala na kaming bukas eh. Pag natalo kami, wala na. Thankful kami kay God kasi binigyan kami ng another chance sa Thursday for Game 3," he said.
"Hopefully, same result mag-translate sa amin. Kailangan pa rin manggaling sa amin, mag-adjust kami, trabahuin namin," he added.
The Rhum Masters, said Alolino, will use the same mindset and all-out effort heading into Game 3 on Thursday at the same venue.
“Magsasaya muna kami, pero konti lang. Mag-adjust kami bukas kung ano pa ang kailangan iimprove sa game na yun. Alam namin yung capability ng Phoenix, babalik sila at maghahanda sila ng sobra para sa amin," he said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
