GIAN Mamuyac said he must learn from the costly mistake of fouling Calvin Oftana while he was attempting a three-point shot in the final seconds of regulation in Game 2 of their PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup semifinals.
Mamuyac conceded a foul against Oftana with 7.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Rain or Shine leading, 99-96. Before that, Jordan Heading grabbed a rebound after a missed three by Caelan Tiongson, and scampered to the frontcourt with the clock running down when he found Oftana at the left side of the court.
READ Oftana scores 39 as TNT frustrates Rain or Shine yet again in OT
Mamuyac said he fouled Oftana because Rain or Shine was still not yet in the penalty, and a deadball situation would have enabled the Elasto Painters to regroup and set their defense up.
“I was just trying to be smart but it backfired,” said Mamuyac. “May fouls to give kasi kami and na-foul sana na hindi gathered, naka-set sana ‘yung defense, more chances na naka-stop kami.”
'Mamu' also gave credit to Oftana for being able to get into the motion of an attempt that merited free throws.
“Galing din ni Calvin na na-timingan niya,” said Mamuyac.
Oftana calmly sank three free throws to tie the game up at 99. He later finished with 39 points after a heroic performance in overtime where he scored seven in TNT’s 113-105 win.
Mamuyac accepted the blame for his decision to foul at a crucial point of the contest - and perhaps the series - with Rain or Shine now down 0-2 in the semifinals.
“As a player siguro, I have to bounce back and learn from it kasi medyo costly ‘yung naging nangyari na ‘yun and ‘yung weight ng loss na ‘to sa series,” said Mamuyac.
The Rain or Shine guard actually had a chance to redeem himself from the mistake in regulation when he was wide open for a potential game-winning three-point shot in the right wing, but missed it.
“Actually, it felt good. I thought it’s going to go in kaso short nga lang. It was a great play designed by coach Yeng. Hopefully, makabawi kami next time,” said Mamuyac.
Despite being down 0-2 because of the error in judgment that he made, Mamuyac said they will still be fighting all out to bounce back in Game 3 on Sunday.
“Again, hindi pa naman kami out. It’s a seven-game series for a reason. It’s first to four. Recover lang kami tomorrow, and hopefully, we could get our first win,” said Mamuyac.
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