GAMBOA playing coach Leo Avenido turned back the hands of time in showcasing his old, deadly form albeit in a losing effort against Wangs, 88-86, in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old Avenido scored his age to go with nine rebounds, and two steals for the Coffee Lovers, but the former ABL MVP was quick to play down his outburst.
"Nagpaka-player na naman ako," he said shortly after the match at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
He may have made it look effortless but Avenido bared he had little left in his tank, and it was his pride that fueled one of the finest performances yet in the season-ending conference.
"Nagca-cramps na ako, kaso gusto ko talaga manalo. Pride na lang e. Puro kami beterano tapos mga bata sa kabila di ba?" said the former PBA cager, who also got plenty of help from Ken Acibar and Mike Parala.
"Di ko naman sinasabi na mahina yung Wangs pero ang akin lang, pride na lang, kaya naman e. Kulang lang sa effort siguro. Dun lang nagkatalo," he added.
[See John Ambulodto hits game-winner as Wangs edges Gamboa]
Not even his offensive onslaught, though, could save the team from falling to a 1-3 card in the Foundation Cup.
But while the Coffee Lovers are on a three-game slide, Avenido remains optimistic his team can pull more surprises in the future if they put more effort especially on the defensive end.
"Siguro sa kanila na lang din. Sinabi ko na lang na magdagdag tayo ng effort. Kulang kami sa energy lalo sa depensa," he said.
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