BARAKO Bull coach Bong Ramos insists the team's strong start to the PBA Commissioner's Cup is more than just good luck.
“The way I look at the players and the team, we're all on the same page,” said Ramos on Monday. “Iyon ang reason kaya nakakasilat kami o sabi nga nung iba nakaka-lucky win … but I think yung swerte, dumadating 'yan kapag persistent ka and I think ganoon kami."
“May mga games na swerte kami … oo. Pero may halong pagsisikap yun. Hindi ka naman mananalo nang nakatayo lang."
At 3-1 (win-loss), the George Chua-owned franchise, which for so long languished in the league cellar, is off to its finest start to a tournament in years. The Energy Cola currently share second place with Petron Blaze, just behind unbeaten Alaska.
Ramos also gave credit to consultant Rajko Toroman and the way the players have whole-heartedly embraced the system of the controversial former Gilas coach.
“We’re playing as a team, defensively and offensively. And we believe in the system, yun ang sikreto namin," said Ramos.
“Maganda rin yung mga inputs ni coach Rajko, makikita mo naman lagi kaming may pangbulaga sa mga kalaban … Hindi pa kami kumpleto niyan, marami pang injured,” added Ramos before rattling off the names of injured players Rico Villanueva, Roger Yap, Celino Cruz, Emman Monfort and Sean Anthony.
Ramos, however, has warned Barako Bull not to be complacent ahead of Wednesday's match against winless Ginebra, which he said is hungry for a win and therefore very dangerous.
“Ginebra can recover any moment now. We cannot be complacent, they are looking for their first win,” said Ramos. “Kaya kung ano yung intensity namin sa ensayo, dapat dalhin namin. Delikadong-delikado ang Ginebra."
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