COLUMBIAN is in full support of the leadership of head coach Johnedel Cardel despite the struggles of the Dyip in his first conference at the helm.
Cardel took over the team after Ricky Dandan stepped down as coach of the Dyip at the end of the second conference that saw the team finish in ninth place with a 4-7 record.
It has been a difficult campaign for the Dyip in the Governors’ Cup as they started out the conference with a 0-9 record before beating Rain or Shine on Friday for their first win.
Still, Cardel said he has the confidence of Columbian’s upper management.
“I feel like giving up,” Cardel said. “I told the boss, kapag hindi tayo nanalo, puwede mag-shuffle uli. Fine with me and I accept that. Maybe I’m not yet ready to coach a PBA team.
“Boss told me na ‘No, all out support.’ Parang na-relief ako na nabigyan ako ng morale-boost to coach a PBA team,” Cardel said.
After winning their first game of the Governors’ Cup, their sixth this season, Columbian is now looking to notch a franchise record for wins in the next game against Blackwater on Saturday, the final match for the season for the Dyip.
“Hindi ko na iniisip ‘yun (losing streak). Mabigat. Basta every game is a championship game for us. Sabi ko, I’m happy for this game (win over Rain or Shine). Nakatanggal ng tinik sa dibdib,” said Cardel.