Aiming to win a maiden MPBL championship in their sophomore year, the Abra Solid North Weavers are leaving no stones unturned.
On how close they are to the goal will be known on Saturday when the Weavers take on unbeaten league-leaders Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards.
“A lot of fans are saying kami ang pinakamalakas ang lineup. Kami ang super team among the best teams in the league, pero hindi eh. We need to win this game against Nueva Ecija kasi we don’t want them and any other teams to gain confidence against us. Dun talaga masusukat kung hanggang saan namin kaya,” said Abra coach Yong Garcia.
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“Up to now, we are still haunted by our loss to Pasay last March. And I think, yun ang nagmo-motivate sa amin to persevere more. Yun kasi lagi ang tinitignan naming reminder sa sarili everytime may nagsasabi na kami talaga ang team to beat,” added the former Mapua Robins coach.
Asked if he already has an antidote to Nueva Ecija’s vaunted chemistry and team play that led to an 18-0 win-loss record, Garcia was cautious.
“Mabigat ang Nueva Ecija. Well supported sila and maganda ang system ni coach Don (Dulay). But we will do our best to stop their winning run. Hopefully our players respond to whatever pressure they will give us,” said Garcia.
And what will he do to bring down the 2022 MPBL champions?
“Siguro rely kami sa experience ng mga players namin and then sa quickness. But we will always have contingencies to whatever they will present us,” he added.
The soft-spoken Weavers mentor also bared that star player Dave Ildefonso and newly-acquired big men Geo Chiu are so focused on the team’s goal that they both sacrificed an early flight to Taiwan for Strong Group Athletics' title defense in the Jones Cup.
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The two will play the Nueva Ecija game before taking the earliest flight to Taipei to join SGA in their opener versus last year’s championship round victim.
“Nagsasakripisyo talaga ang lahat and I am happy na kahit kami ang sinasabing team to beat we always manage to stay humble and living within our goals,” said Garcia while in meeting with team manager Chris Conwi.
“The Nueva Ecija game is a must watch, hope the fans come and watch us,” he said.
“Malaki rin kasi ang tinatanaw na utang na loob ng mga players and the whole team kila Congressman JB Bernos (Abra team owner) and ma’am Congresswoman Ching Bernos. Todo support talaga sila sa lahat ng needs ng team,” said Garcia.
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