On paper, the Philips Gold Lady Slammers could rival any current PSL team talent-wise. However, winning is more than just unleashing one’s individual talent. Regardless of how long the process of gelling as one cohesive unit may take, the patience required to do so will surely give the jolt this team needs.
As former Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers big man, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, once said, “One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team.”
For Team Captain, Michele Gumabao, it definitely starts with the team getting its act together for one unified cause with everyone in it helping each other out.
“Medyo slow kami [Philips Gold] when it comes to picking up things, and slow maka-adjust. We’re trying to work as a team,” Gumabao told Tiebreaker Times. “So whatever happens to the team, we are trying to get there slowly and hopefully surely.”
Currently sporting a 2-4 record, placing them at fifth place in the standings, the Lady Slammers are still a work in progress, but have been making big strides lately. So far in the tournament, Myla Pablo has been the team’s main gun, but the key factor in this squad all lies on how the attackers of the team adjust to setter Iris Tolenada’s style of play.
Likewise, Gumabao also indicated that every member of the team must believe in themselves, and at the same time pose as a threat to the opposing team whenever duty calls them. Recently, the team consistently saw its chemistry and coordination improve on a consistent basis with every game played.
“We want to build our team from the ground up so if we have to start from the ground its ok,” Gumabao stated. “[Our chemistry is] better but we still have to work on our positions that are lacking. Dapat each player on a team is a threat because if pili lang ang mga scorers at pumapalo, and if we want to be a winning team, we have to be strong in each and every game.”
With four games left in their schedule, Philips Gold still has a chance to turn things around in order for them to punch in a playoff berth. Their next game will be against Cha Cruz and the Shopinas.com Lady Clickers today, 4:15 pm, the San Juan Arena.
“With the league’s system, whatever your record is come the elimination round, pagdating ng playoffs if manalo ka then you’re going to be in the Finals.” Gumabao ended. “So now, we just have to keep on practicing and keep on perfecting our plays and keep on working as a team,”
