On a normal day, a lead such as nine points would balloon to a double-digit lead all of a sudden for the Star Hotshots — especially if it is already during the game’s fourth quarter.
But against the top-seeded Meralco Bolts in Game One of their 2017 Governor’s Cup Semifinal series, Sunday night at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna, the Hotshots’ trademark poise under pressure was nowhere to be seen.
Failing to widen or even protect a 66-57 lead approaching the home stretch is obviously a collapse. But what made this late-game blunder even worse was that they had gone scoreless and committed six straight errors after that.
“Nag-give up pa kami, fourth quarter pa,” shared the 35-year-old after the match.
Making the loss harder to fathom was the way Star handled the ball. After committing six straight errors late in the fourth, they committed a total of 24 turnovers. Those miscues were then converted by Meralco to 26 points.
“Minsan talagang dumadating sa team yun eh,” admitted Pingris, who committed four turnovers as well. “Siguro dahil gusto manalo, minsan ‘di mo mapipigilan yung turnovers na ganyan eh.
“Ako andami ko ring turnovers.”
Despite the setback, the 13-year veteran vowed that a better Star will come out in Game Two, which will be this coming Tuesday, October 3, at the Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
“Next time babawi kami promise,” assured the eight-time champion.
“Kailangan lang namin matutunan yung mistakes namin sa game na ‘to.”
