WITH back-to-back wins to start the PBA Philippine Cup, Terrafirma is now making the claim it is not the league's whipping boy of old.
"Lahat willing talagang i-send ang message na iba na Terrafirma. Iba na takbo ng team ngayon," said Dyip coach Johnedel Cardel. "Lahat gustong manalo para maipakita nila na hindi na katulad dati itong Terrafirma."
The veracity of such a narrative would be put to a giant test Saturday when Terrafirma takes on a TNT crew bristling to get back on the winning track at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Another win would push the Dyip alongside another unlikely leader in Blackwater while the Tropang Giga are sure to come out spewing fire following a 76-87 loss to the Bossing last Saturday that negated their 108-107 opening win against Rain or Shine.
A good start, better shooting and avoiding the many fouls and turnovers, while counting on Jayson Castro, Calvin Oftana and Roger Pogoy to be their usual fiery selves on the attack, should be the main keys for TNT.
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Cardel remains guardedly optimistic. "Iba TNT. Mga beterano iyon, sila (Kelly) Williams, Pogoy, Oftana, Castro," he said.
"Pero sabi ko naman, huwag tayong tumingin doon. Kailangan tumingin tayo sa team natin, kung papaano natin sila pipigilan," added Cardel. "Kung sa tao sa tao malakas talaga sila, pero kapag nagtulungan tayo p'wede nating talunin sila."
Helping out one another, especially on defense, has indeed worked wonders for Terrafirma, resulting to its victories over Converge and NLEX.
"Lahat one page talaga, opensa lalo na sa depensa na malaki ipinagbago," said Cardel. "Sinabi ko naman sa kanila, wala akong problema sa opensa n'yo, lahat kayo marunong mag-shoot. Gusto ko lang sa depensa alam natin ang ginagawa natin, tulong-tulong."
The stats back Cardel up. The Dyip have so far limited their opponents to 97 ppg, while racking up 103 points on 21 assists and 10 steals and three blocks an outing.
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"Dahil sa pagtutulungan sa depensa nababagsak ang panalo sa amin," noted Cardel.
Top gunner Juami Tiongson and the double-edged threats that are Stephen Holt, Javi Gomez de Liano and Isaac Go should again lead Terrafirma's attack with Kemark Carino finally seeing action after missing the Dyip's first two games due to a pulled muscle.
"Lahat ready to play, ready to play defense," stated Cardel.(NC)
