Purefoods resident stars James Yap, Marc Pingris and Mark Barroca believe their team’s ouster gave them a lesson in defeat. It also reminded them how they should keep their faith in one another come hell or high water.
“Sa tingin ko mas magiging solid kami sa isa’t isa dito dahil sa pagkatalo na ito,” Yap told media after the game.
Yap has been the face of the Purefoods franchise for the past 10 years, and is one of few players who have won seven championships with the squad.
According to the two-time Most Valuable Player, losing Ian Sangalang, a promising sophomore, was a big blow for the squad.
“Siya yung magdadala sa amin each time na mayroon kaming slow start. Malaking bagay talaga siya,” he added.
Pingris and Barroca vowed to come out stronger, better next time.
“May mga bago rin kaming players na nadagdag sa team. Hindi naman yan kamukha dati na ira-run lang naming yung play ni Coach (Tim),” said Pingris. “Dahil may mga kasama rin kaming bago, kailangan rin naming mag-adjust.”
Known as the team’s source of strength in defense and intensity, Pingris said they’ve had a valuable learning experience in this temporary setback.
“Hindi namin binabalewala dapat mga teams. Yung thinking naming na dahil nag-champion na kami ng maraming beses, dapat isipin namin na maraming teams ang mas gutom sa amin na manalo,” he added.
For Barroca, the defeat was painful.
“Masakit sa amin, pero babawi kami sa susunod. Mas maghahanda kami,” he said.
