Yet to get his breakthrough win as Alaska head coach, Jeffrey Cariaso isn't losing hope on the still-adjusting Aces and their just-arrived import Franko House.
Cariaso's charges fell to their fourth consecutive loss via a 75-101 defeat to Meralco in a PBA Governors' Cup Friday matchup where the Aces engaged the Bolts in a tight contest halfway through before hot-shooting Baser Amer and Meralco asserted themselves and pulled away.
"There's a sense of urgency as early as two games ago, parang ganon. We have to understand if we're trying to make a run this conference, we really have to step on the gas (now) so that makes the challenge even more," Cariaso said.
"For the last eight games going to this, I gave them a challenge of us going 6-2 (to advance) so now to get the six wins, it will be six out of seven (games).
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"Is it still possible? I still believe we can do it. It's really just coming together a little bit more, playing better. The challenge is being consistent. You can't play one half decent tapos second half, you drop. The teams are too good; if you drop a little bit, they're gonna take advantage and next thing you know, you're 20 points down, which was what happened today," he added.
House wasn't much of a factor in his debut for Alaska, finishing with eight points on a 3-of-13 field goal but helped out in rebounding (11), assists (6) and blocks (two).
"I think it's a little but too early to kinda judge him. It's really difficult, he's been here four days I think he's still the guy that we need; he is that big presence so he just has to understand where to pick his spots.
"Baka nagulat siya sa style of play here a little bit and the expectations of him being the import. I think that's a little bit of a factor but again, no excuses. He has to be better, we expect him to do a lot, we expect him to do everything, to defend, score, be an inside presence, rebound.
Rebounding wasn't bad today; it's just him being able to get a little bit comfortable with what we're doing," he said.
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House's addition stretched the adjustment period for the Aces, who are only on their third month under Cariaso.
"I put him (House) also in regards to overall feel on where the team is so kasama siya doon in regards to transition, adjusitng," said Cariaso, "If the team itself ,your locals, they still aren't 100 percent sure on how we wanna do things and you have a new import who just come in that situation where hindi pa kami solid in regard to understanding everything. It makes the challenge even harder."
It's also not helping that four players are still out on injuries - Jeron Teng (hamdstring), Kevin Racal (back), Maverick Ahanmisi (foot) and Noy Baclao (knee).
"Is it a factor? Yes, you're kinda limited a little bit with your rotation and then some guys are being extended more so kasama lahat yun. But no excuses, we're a professional team, next guy in line should be ready so that's the expectation,' said Cariaso who expects only Teng at the earliest to be back in action by the 13th.
"We got to find a way to survive October," said "The Jet." (OL)
