In a surprise to pundits and fans alike, the Mahindra Enforcers are off to its best start in franchise history with a 3-0 slate.
The Enforcers, formerly known as the KIA Carnival, have always been at the bottom of the standings in its two years with the PBA. The Columbian Autocar Corporation-owned franchise has a combined 16 wins and 39 losses record in the past five conferences, good for a meager 29 percent winning percentile.
After defeating the Star Hotshots and the Globalport Batang Pier by a margin of 10 points each in its first two games of the conference, Mahindra was able to score arguably its biggest win Wednesday evening, surviving AZ Reid’s 43 point explosion and escaping the heavily-favored San Miguel Beermen 105-103.
“There’s a reason why they (San Miguel) are the defending champs,” Mahindra’s Filipino-American deputy coach Chris Gavino said. “But I want to extend this win to my guys.”
“We’re approaching everything like it’s a playoff game so we always come up with a do-or-die mentality.”
Also present during the game was head coach Manny Pacquiao. “Blessed ng panginoon ang lahat ng games ng team, kaya nanalo,” he said after the game.
Moreover, the team’s recent moves, the player’s patience, and the tapping of James White, who is averaging 28 points per game and 12.67 rebounds, have been huge factors in the team’s run.
“Maganda ang mga players natin, nakikinig sa instructions sa training,” the senator added.
“Yung hard work nila sa training nagbunga din, so ito na yung bunga ng mga sakripisyo ng mga players,” he closed.
