SUNDAY Salvacion hopes Blackwater could hasten its maturity process in its maiden season in the PBA.
The 6-foot-2 gunner, one of several senior players of the Elite, said the team’s lack of experience has been one of the reasons why it couldn’t finish games - just like in a 72-87 defeat to Meralco on Friday night in a match where they dominated the entire first half.
“Siguro katulad nung game kanina (against the Bolts), lumamang kami ng 12 points, pero yung decision-making sa loob siguro, saka yung defense namin, eh nung dumikit na, parang nawala yung gigil ba,” observed Salvacion, a 12-year league veteran who serves as mentor to younger Blackwater players this season.
The 36-year-old former St. Benilde shooting forward is not one to point an accusing finger at anyone, aware that losing games are part of birth pains for an expansion squad like the Elite.
“Rookie mistakes lang yung iba. Eh kaming mga veterans din naman nagkakamali. Siyempre, bagong team kami. Di pa kami masyado nagje-jell, kaya may mga games na panalo na, natatalo pa,” he added.
Salvacion said everyone should learn from each of the team’s five losses this conference for the Elite to salvage whatever playoff chances they have in the season-ending tournament.
“Iyung mali naman, kailangan pa pag-aralan saka kailangan namin ng maayos na team defense,” he said.
Blackwater, whose only win so far this conference came in the form of an 83-77 upset of crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra two weeks ago in Dipolog City, tries to get back on the winning track next Wednesday against Rain or Shine.
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