JOSEPH Yeo believes the Final Four stint of Air21 in the recent PBA Commissioner’s Cup has motivated the team to dream big as the Express try ride on the momentum in the ongoing Governors Cup.
Yeo admitted that taking eventual champion San Mig Super Coffee to the distance during the semifinals was an achievement in itself that augured well for the confidence of the Express.
“I think very okay `yung semis performance namin, kasi `yung confidence namin mataas (in the Governors Cup). Saka dati, kapag lamang kami, nahahabol pa, eh at least ngayon, nama-manage na namin `yung lamang,” Yeo told Spin.ph
The Express are aiming for no less than a top four finish in the eliminations in order to earn one of four twice-to-beat incentives come the playoffs.
And they readily put themselves in such position after opening the season-ending conference on a winning note after whipping Rain or Shine, 103-96, behind energetic import Dominique Sutton and Asi Taulava.
Air21 followed it up with a 101-86 win over Barako Bull Saturday for a franchise-best 2-0 start.
The 6-foot Yeo said Sutton may have been with the team for just a week, but his intense approach in practice and during the game has fired up everyone in the team.
“Okay ang import namin. Lahat pinapagalitan niya (Sutton), pero he does it in a good way naman kasi he wants to win,” explained the 30-year-old former La Salle star, who scored 18 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished off the same number of assists against Rain or Shine.
Yeo believes Air21’s surprising performance in the playoffs last conference only means that opposing teams should no longer take the Express lightly.
“Pinaghahandaan na rin kami kasi di na kami basta-bastang team,” he said.
“Hindi katulad nung last conference na masasabi mong puwede silang (opponents) pumetiks.”
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