TERRAFIRMA is not veering far from its immediate goal, which is making it past the PBA eliminations.
Coach Johnedel Cardel admitted as much, stating that making at least the quarterfinals continues to consume his Dyip as they wind up their preparations for the PBA Philippine Cup kicking off on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"Lagi na lang kaming short sa quarterfinals na iyan so iyon lang iniisip namin, na sana makapasok sa quarterfinals then after that bahala na kung ano ibigay sa amin," Cardel said Wednesday.
"Depende naman sa laro namin iyon. Basta tulong-tulong lang, stay healthy, kakayanin naman namin," added Cardel.
Terrafirma's re-tooled lineup may just keep it hit on target.
Sponsored content:
The Dyip are now featuring Javi Gomez de Liano and Brian Enriquez, both acquired in a recent trade with Barangay Ginebra, as well as another rookie in former Letran gunner Allen Mina and Terrence Tumalip, elevated from their 3x3 squad.
"Mga bago gamay na sistema namin. Mabilis naman silang naka-adjust," related Cardel, whose mandated daily practices are now on their third week.
"So far so good," added Cardel. "Naka-tuneup na kami twice against NorthPort and Rain or Shine at may naka-schedule pa kami against San Miguel (Beer) on Friday."
Said new additions are expected to help ease the load off Terrafirma's core of Juami Tiongson, Joshua Munzon, Isaac Go, Aldrech Ramos and Andreas Cahilig.
"Mas malalim kami ngayon kaysa last conference," said Cardel, referring to their woeful 2-9 record and 11th place in the last Governors Cup which saw them struck by injuries and the loss of Roosevelt Adams (sit out) and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser (opt out).
Sponsored content:
"Last conference nawalan kami ng mga importanteng players, malalaki pa, sila Adams and Ganuelas-Rosser. Kaya bumabaw ang bench namin," said Cardel. "But now, nandiyan si Isaac, (Joseph) Gabayni, Aldrech, Cahilig and (Christian) Balagasay sa frontline kaya medyo na-overcome na size problems naming."
"Basta wala lang sanang ma-injured ulit and hopefully, dito sa all-Filipino maka-abante na kami." (NC)
