A SLIGHT change in attitude worked wonders for Rain or Shine the last time out.
For its part, Barangay Ginebra strayed from the discipline coach Tim Cone has repeatedly stressed and consequently paid the price.
Whether the Elasto Painters can use the same patient approach against a Gin Kings squad sure to be more composed this time around would be known Saturday in what could be a pivotal Game 3 of their PBA Commissioner's Cup semi-final duel at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Displaying the fire and patience coach Caloy Garcia wanted, Rain or Shine bounced back from a sorry 89-102 loss in the best-of-five series opener by notching a 109-100 victory just last Thursday.
"I told them to play with more heart, be more physical, show some desire to get those hustle points, hustle back on defense," related Garcia, whose team found itself trailing early for the second straight game but, unlike in the opener, stayed poised and brought the game home.
Sponsored content:
"I think in the first game kumbaga sumasabay lang kami sa kanila. When they had that good start medyo nawala composure namin," noted Garcia.
"I think we came in today and played a bit more physical. I told them to show more emotion, na kailangan nilang ipakita na they really wanted to win the game. We can't just lie down and lose.
"Basically, it's just all about heart."
Heart is definitely not something that Ginebra lacks in.
Import Justin Brownlee even said the loss, which cut short the Kings' conference-best eight-game winning streak, did little to dampen their spirits.
Sponsored content:
"We've been playing in the playoffs for a few years now so I don't think it's going to be a dent (on our confidence)," said Brownlee.
If only his charges were as steady as the E-Painters were, especially in the endgame, according to Cone.
"We got more to give than shooting three-point shots, so we weren't at our best tonight," said Cone, whose squad went 0-for-5 from the field, including 0-for-4 from beyond the arc, inside the last three minutes.
In contrast, Rain or Shine made five of their last six shots, including a triple each from James Yap and Reggie Johnson, who sparked and fueled a 12-0 finishing kick.
"We just tried to win the game by shooting 3s that didn't go in down the stretch. Theirs did, ours didn't," rued Cone.
After taking the blows from Rain or Shine Brownlee expects his side will be ready to deliver its own in Game 3.
"They played tough defense. They did nothing unexpected. We definitely expect them to play physical and play harder. Any time a team loses Game 1 of the playoffs, they are going to come out harder and aggressive," said Brownlee.
"We just got to bounce back. We have to come prepared, come ready," said Brownlee.
"I'm sure coach Tim is going to go over some things and for sure we'll be ready."
Cone promises nothing less, although in not so many words. "They came out and did what they wanted to do, they played their game so back to the drawing board." He said.
"We knew this ain't going to be easy, they're the No. 1 seed and I keep saying that there's a reason they are the no. 1 seed. We saw it tonight. We just have to take the challenge," added Cone.(NC)
