BARANGAY Ginebra has for so long been a run-and-gun team but, like most people, newly appointed coach Frankie Lim is also puzzled why the team's offense often turns into 'run and gone.'
“Napansin ko kasi dati, we control the boards, most of our games, kaso nakakapang-hinayang kasi we cannot run. I want to see a more exciting Ginebra team,” said Lim shortly after presiding over his first two solid hours of practice as head coach of the crowd favorites.
“Hindi sila tumatakbo, minsan parang hindi sila sigurado kung saan sila pupunta. Atleast ngayon dapat medyo structured yung ginagawa namin,” he added.
That is now foremost among the goals of Lim as he tries to squeeze the full potential out of a star-studded team that for so long has come up short.
"May mga guards kami tapos may big men kami na tumatakbo. Okay na kumbinasyon na 'yun. Marami kaming magagawa. Marami kaming options," he said. “Our mission here is to instill discipline (among the members of the team), then we win.”
[See Caguioa says 'disciplinarian' Caguioa exactly what doctor ordered for Ginebra]
Lim agreed that Ginebra has one of the best lineups in the league, saying only proper discipline is needed to tap into that potential. He also wants his players to be in the best of shape.
“They have to get into good shape. Makikita mo they are doing extra work after our regular practice, I want them stronger, in shape and faster,” added Lim.
Contrary to popular opinion, Lim said he is not a tough drillmaster in practice, but he stressed that what he demands is discipline during games.
“Hindi tayo militaristic, hindi tayo military. It’s just keeping it simple and doing the right things. 'Yun lang 'yun,” he said. “We want to win, to hit the semifinals and hopefully the championship. That’s the challenge.”
Lim also played down supposed rifts among players at Ginebra.
“All the twelve (PBA) teams, they have their little intrigues within the team, di nawawala 'yun,” he said. “At the end of the day, you want to be fair with these players. I think the thing you want to do with them is make them work, make them better. Pag maganda naman intensyon mo sa mga 'yan, hindi ka bababuyin ng mga 'yan.
“Parang mag-asawa 'yan. Pag walang respeto, walang mangyayari sa marriage. Ganyan din rito. You respect your coach, the coach will respect you. Hindi pwedeng magsisiga ka rito,” he firmly added.
[See Ginebra trades Billy Mamaril for Barako's Dave Marcelo in Lim's first day in charge]
Is he ready to deal with players with so-called 'superstar complex,' in case there are some at Ginebra, Lim was very firm with his response.
“Star complex of players? Makikita natin 'yan. Wala namang suiperstar dito. Wala namang magaspang (ang ugali) rito. Marami tayong superstar (sa team) pero they don’t act like one,” he said.
Lim also defended his acquisition of still struggling big man Dave Marcelo from Barako Bull for Ginebra’s longtime center Billy Mamaril in a one-on-one trade on Monday.
“Dave is an undersized big man na kayang makipag-sabayan sa mga big men ng ibang team. Tumatakbo rin 'yun. Subok ko na 'yun, kahit nung college 'yun, hirap sa kanya ang mga malalaki ng ibang collegiate teams,” he said.
“He can give Greg Slaughter quality minutes. We can rest Greg, Dave will work on the boards. And he knows my system,” he added.
And why did he not acquire another former Beda star in Barako forward Jake Pascual?
“May (Rodney) Brondial na kami eh. Madodoble lang ang pusisyon. Saka ayaw ko namang kunin ng kunin ang mga San Beda rito baka sabihin ginagawa kong Red Lions ito,” he said before bursting into laughter.
Meanwhile, Ginebra officials bared that Mongolian import Sanchar Tungalag is set to arrive on Thursday while the American reinforcement, who is due to arrive early next week, has yet to finalize his contract with the Kings.
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