MARC Pingris admitted Purefoods’ 100-96 overtime loss to Talk ‘N Text in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night only complicated the team’s ‘Drive For Five’ bid.
“Pag nagkakaganito ang team namin eh, kailangan naming pagtrabahuhan (a fifth PBA title). Siyempre, gusto din ng ibang team na manalo at kailangang magtrabaho uli,” he said.
Still, the power-playing Purefoods still sounded confident the Hotshots can weather the storm as they head to the playoffs of the All-Filipino conference.
“Proud ako sa pinakita naming laro, saka tingin ko yung laro namin bumabalik na, nandun na rin yung defense,” said Pingris, whose double-double effort of 21 points and 11 rebounds could not prevent Purefoods from dropping to an even 5-5 record in the company of idle GlobalPort and Meralco for sixth to eighth spots in the standings.
The loss also derailed the Hotshots’ bid from inching closer to a twice-to-beat edge in the next round.
But with the game against the Tropang Texters over and done with, Purfoods is now focusing its attention on Saturday’s game against Barako Bull in Dipolog City.
“Pero kaya din naman, kailangang lang focus sa Barako, at least, tapos na itong laro (against Talk ‘N Text).”
Purefoods Star has dominated the league for the past two years by topping the last four conferences, including a rare Grand Slam last seasin
The Hotshots though kicked off their title retention bid by losing three of their first four games, before springing back to life by winning four in a row.
The win streak however, came to an end after Purefoods bowed Rain or Shine, 83-74 last Sunday.
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