BLACKWATER failed in its bid to match a franchise record following its first defeat in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the hands of NLEX on Wednesday.
The Bossing fell to the Road Warriors, 103-97, after a 3-0 start to the conference. A win would have matched their 4-0 start in the 2018 Governors’ Cup.
Blackwater coach Jeff Cariaso said that in order to maintain its successful start, the club would need to learn how to close out games.
Cariaso: Learning experience
“I told the guys that this is really the game that us coaches, we like to be in. We like the games where it’s character-driven, it goes down the stretch, play-by-play, and it’s close. You learn the most out of the games like these, the close games,” Cariaso said.
“I told them we are going to have to learn how to play in these games where we have to grind it out and be solid on both ends,” said Cariaso.
The loss came down to the final moments, with Robert Bolick saving NLEX once again, nailing two threes in the final minute to finish with 21 points.
Cariaso blames too many lapses
But for Cariaso, the most critical moment for the team was before the Bolick threes.
“What happened was there were too many lapses, mistakes that we made in the fourth quarter, hindi namin ginawa nung first three quarters. That’s when it counts the most,” said Cariaso.
“I look beyond the two Bolick threes. He does that in his sleep,” Cariaso added. “But I’m looking at our turnovers, looking at the missed free throws, and looking at giving up offensive rebounds. [Jhan] Nermal was great for them. [Dominic] Fajardo was great for them. The hustle players play. Doon tayo natalo tonight.”
The final stretch also saw Rey Suerte making only one of six free throws in the game, spoiling his 21-point career night.
“Again, it’s something that you don’t ever want to lose by a free throw. When you lose by a close game, ‘yun ang unang-unang titingnan namin. We missed 12 free throws in total. The result would have possibly been different if we just made (our free throws),” said Cariaso.
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.
