It looks like the unconventional approach has yet to bring wonders for the disgruntled Kia Picanto.
Coach Chris Gavina came out of Kia’s locker room obviously disappointed, following his troops’ 102-125 demolition into the hands of a well-balanced Phoenix Fuel Masters, Wednesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“Ugly – really one word to describe it all today,” rued the youthful tactician after a lengthy stay with his fellow coaches inside the team’s dugout. “A lot of me-ball again, [like it] came back that haunted us all last season.
“Considering how we came out last week [versus NLEX Road Warriors], today was a disappointment all the way down the line,” Gavina furthered. “You got to give Phoenix their due credit. They knew our game plan… We got destroyed.
“Let’s say everything’s been conventional so far.”
What’s worse is that aside from the beating they received, this defeat serves as their 14th straight loss, which traces back all the way from their final assignment in the 2017 Commissioners’ Cup against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
“If Santa Claus had anything to give me, it will be this first win after 14 straight [losses],” the Filipino-American coach quipped.
“But, you know, can’t keep your head down, push forward, learn, and not try to relive those bad moments.”
The team, especially the players, have always been vocal that they are out there to prove doubters wrong after their decision to trade their 2017 first round pick to powerhouse San Miguel Beermen to a handful of bench players.
Asked if that mentality has stuck in the players’ heads, leading to their game suffering, the outspoken mentor believes so.
“Maybe,” said Gavina. “A lot of things has been said on media, about, you know, showing the mistake of that trade, and guys are… Taking it as a challenge but they’re taking it in a wrong way. Not one person is gonna deliver us the win.
“It’s gotta be a team effort. They know that, we know that. And it showed today, our level of selfishness on the court.”
