AFTER an impressive run in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup came to a close on Wednesday, Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel expressed optimism about keeping the team’s core intact while eagerly anticipating the upcoming draft to bolster their roster for the next season.
Cardel emphasized a surprising performance in the Philippine Cup that saw the oft-maligned league minnow pushing top-seed San Miguel to the limit in the quarterfinals lays a solid foundation for the future.
“Of course,” said Cardel, when asked if he wants the core of the team to be intact. “Maganda na ‘yung takbo ng team. Dadagdagan na lang ito para maging stable at ma-maintain namin ‘yung performance namin sa all-Filipino. Kasi all-Filipino pa rin tayo this coming (conference).”
By selecting Stephen Holt first overall in the recent draft, Terrafirma added firepower to complement Juami Tiongson, Javi Gomez de Liano, and Isaac Go.
This vastly improved lineup propelled the Dyip to the quarterfinals for only the second time in franchise history, following a 5-6 win-loss record and a playoff victory against NorthPort for the No. 8 spot.
Terrafirma’s playoff journey took a stunning turn when they upset San Miguel 106-95 last Saturday, setting up a knockout duel for a semifinal berth. However, San Miguel proved formidable, securing a 110-91 win over the Dyip on Wednesday.
“Lumabas ‘yung maturity nila (San Miguel)," Cardel said. "Nawala ‘yung mga plano namin. Siyempre, champion team ‘yan eh. We expect talaga na ibang San Miguel ‘yung makakaharap namin. They were leading by one at halftime but going into the third, of course, this is a championship team so nag-iba talaga ‘yung laro.”
“Lahat nag-contribute kaya nahirapan talaga kami, tapos minalas ‘yung bigs namin, ‘yung outside shooting namin from the threes, hindi pumasok,” said Cardel.
Despite the loss, the team is focusing on the positives. Cardel revealed that Terrafirma team governor Bobby Rosales expressed pride in the team’s performance during the post-match pep talk.
“We had a good experience going up against a champion team. In Game One, nakuha namin. It was a big, big morale [boost] for the team. Then, we lose. Why we lost, alam na namin so aayusin namin going to the all-Filipino next conference,” he added.
“Boss Bobby said he was very proud dahil malayo ang narating nitong all-Filipino. Sabi ko nga, we beat them in the first game. But in the second game, siyempre mga bata pa ito. Lalabas talaga ‘yung rookie mistakes. Kailangan naming ayusin. Unti-unti. Malaki ang inimprove ng mga players,” said Cardel.
Cardel said the rare playoff appearance was also a learning experience for him as a coach. The 48th Season Philippine Cup marked his best performance as Terrafirma coach since taking over in 2018.
“For me, as a head coach, masaya ako dahil seven wins, not bad, for my career coaching Terrafirma. Talagang grabe ‘yung pasensya na binigay ng mga boss ko. Kahit ano ang nangyari sa team, nandito ako siyempre para matuto rin as a head coach.”
“I’m teaching young guys. Parehas din kami. Ako lang ‘yung matanda sa kanila, but all the PBA coaches are my kuya, my friend, my coach, coach Tim Cone, coach Yeng Guiao," added the former PBA player.
"Natututo ako sa kanila," he added. "Nananalo ako, natatalo ako sa kanila, pero marami akong natututunan."
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