THE Bay Area Dragons are up against the odds since coming over here for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
What more now that they’re up against the league’s most popular ballclub with no less than the championship on the line.
Two games into the best-of-seven finals against Barangay Ginebra and coach Brian Goorjian admitted the difficulty of playing under an environment when just about everybody is against them.
READ: Tim Cone laments Ginebra not ready for Bay Area adjustments
The Dragons, according to their coach, obviously have no one to turn to but themselves.
“It’s just like coming here in the military. You know, it’s us against the world,” a smiling Goorjian said. “Helmets on, let’s go.”
The series is tied at 1-1 after Bay Area bucked the pressure and pulled off a 99-82 win in Game 2, which drew a crowd of 16,044 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The finals so far is averaging a crowd attendance of 17,000, obviously most of them rooting for Barangay Ginebra.
As the visiting team, the Dragons knew it’s not going to be easy playing in the lion’s den.
“It’s a series and I’m just happy this thing is sensational, and I want to experience as much of it as I can. I have played in a lot of finals in the course of my life, and this environment is second to none,” said Goorjian.
“That stadium to the roof is packed, and I’ve never been in one when there’s no one for you. It’s just all everything them.”
Again, the 69-year-old coach of the Australian men’s basketball team is not complaining, noting the Dragons are embracing the experience of having to play under such an atmosphere.
“That motivation is fun, too,” he said.
“I thought our guys have bitten into that, as I told them grand finals don’t come often. Enjoy the experience, get off on this environment and playing under this pressure. It’s got to be something you will really enjoy.”
The fun will have to wait for the Dragons, though, as the finals take a week-long break for the New Year celebration.
Game 3 will be played on Jan. 4 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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