DE LA Salle assistant coach Allan Caidic couldn’t hide his disappointment as the Green Archers continue to struggle from the free throw line.
The Green Archers only made three out of their 11 free throws on Saturday in a disappointing 83-85 loss to University of the East.
No one was more frustrated than Caidic, nicknamed the "Triggerman" and arguably the deadliest gunner in Philippine basketball.
“We have been repeating it in practice, but in the games, I don’t know,” said a flabbergasted Caidic, noting that free throw problems were the reason for the Green Archers’ three losses. “Talagang very frustrating.”
Caidic, who still holds the record of the most number of points in a PBA game at 79, even admitted that he, at times, questions his own ability to help players make their shots.
“Sometimes, I’m thinking to myself, ano ba ang ginagawa kong mali. Am I not good enough for them to make them better?” Caidic admitted.
Caidic said the Green Archers have been emphasizing free throws in practice. But as the team struggles to connect from the line during games, he thinks it is now more of a mental thing for them.
“They are doing extra free throws. Bottom line is that they have to make it in the game. They have to feel that they can make them,” said Caidic.
“That’s a chain reaction. Even ’yung mga matataas ang percentage, sila pa ’yung nag-mimiss kaya nag-co-compound,” said Caidic.
Caidic now hopes the players could bounce back quickly and regain confidence.
Still, Caidic still has reasons to be optimistic.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on them. Pero hindi naman namin sila pinapabayaan,” he added.
“We are down, but there is no way to go but up,” Caidic said.
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