As what Blackwater Elite head coach Leo Isaac had said after their stunning win over the NLEX Road Warriors last Friday at the Big Dome, those who will perform notably will be given what they deserve, as far as playing time is concerned.
“Everybody on our team [who] gets to really play well, they get rewarded by having extra minutes,” said Isaac.
On Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena, the veteran tactician gave those precious minutes to two of his frontcourt reliables — guard-forward Bambam Gamalinda and six-foot-seven stretched big man JP Erram.
And the two cagers did not waste the opportunity.
Both Erram and Gamalinda were pivotal in the Elite’s 111-106 double overtime win — their third in a row — over the Alaska Aces. The Atenean had 13 points and 13 rebounds, while the San Beda product scored 11 and made 15 caroms.
“Ginusto talaga namin,” said the 31-year-old Gamalinda of the hard-earned victory, which sends their card to 3-3.
“Ngayon yung chance namin. History pa, first time manalo ng tatlong sunod. So, yun nga, ginusto lang talaga namin.”
“Nakakapagod yung game. First time ko makasama dun sa double overtime,” added the 28-year-old Erram, on the other hand.
“Nag-overtime, parang isang chance din na maipakita ko na kaya ko maglaro sa mga crucial minutes.”
Regarding their respective outings, both Gamalinda and Erram pointed out that it was just the result of fulfilling what is expected from them.
“Actually ginagawa ko lang role ko. Bonus na lang yung ganun,” said Gamalinda. “Since sa practice, yung import, masyado siyang vocal sa’min. Gusto niya kami mag-step up,” he added, giving credit once more to Henry Walker.
“Iniisip ko, kahit papaano, natulungan ko yung import namin na rumebound, para kahit papaano ‘di naman sa kanya lahat ng offense at defense, yung ganun,” Erram shared. “Gusto ko rin makatulong sa team ko.”
For Erram, this marks his best game yet for the Elite since returning to the fold last May 31 from an ACL injury. The former Gilas pool member isn’t sure yet if he has regained his old form, but he believes that he is bound to get there.
“‘Di ko pa sure eh pero I’m going there na dun sa full recovery talaga. Ang iniisip ko lang is makatulong sa team. Ayoko ipakita na may injury ako or may masakit sa tuhod ko or whatever, kasi siyempre binibigyan ka ng chance.
“Panget naman kung bibigyan ka ng chance tapos hindi mo imamaximize,” said the former Ateneo Blue Eagle.
Blackwater are now on a roll, and all eyes will be on them if they have enough gas to sustain the run. They will face a tall order in the TNT Katropa next Wednesday, but Gamalinda insists that the Elite will just continue their ways.
“Ganun pa rin. Same energy, lahat, off the bench man o starter. Continue lang ano ginagawa namin, kasi positive eh,” he said.
