Consistency will always be the main concern for Phoenix coach Eric Gonzales.
As the Aspirants’ Cup champs gun for back-to-back titles, the Accelerators could not afford to bank on talent alone as they hope to protect their position at the top of the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup mountain.
And on Monday, Phoenix will have a chance to find that consistency anew while seeking the early lead in the tourney as it goes back to action against the still winless AMA Online Education. Tip-off is at 2:00pm. at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.
“Binabantayan namin yan every quarter, every possession, kailangan maging consistent kami,” said Gonzales. “Sa last two games kasi, hindi ko pa nakikita yun sa mga bata.”
Phoenix had an early scare courtesy of Topstar ZC Mindanao last Thursday, falling behind 11-0 early before picking up the slack to notch the 108-78 rout.
Gonzales is warning his wards to not take any opponent lightly while pushing his boys to stay focused every game.
“Yan kasi ang hirap sa mga bata, magaling bumalik pag na-down pero pag lamang, nagiging complacent,” he said, as Gonzales will bank on the leadership of the trio of Mac Belo, Ed Daquioag, and Mike Tolomia. “Kailangan pa rin naming respetuhin ang kalaban kasi hindi madali lahat ng magiging laro namin.”
In the second game at 4:00pm., Tanduay gets the first crack at Blustar Detergent, as the Rhum Masters hope to bounce back from
a 98-79 defeat to Phoenix last Tuesday.
The Dragons, under the guidance of coach Goh Cheng Huat, will be led by Juami Tiongson as they parade a Malaysian core in hopes of making a splash in the Philippine basketball scene.
