The funk that the Marinerong Pilipino Skippers got into early in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirant’s Cup finally ended on Thursday, with a 92-78 victory over the Batangas-EAC Generals. But forward Gab Banal, was still far from satisfied.
Banal rued the way the Skippers have been playing as a unit, even if they have already played four games. This is seemingly true given the way they handled the Generals, against whom they blew a 21-point lead and allowed to knock within three.
“Actually it feels like a loss nga eh,” said Banal, who led Marinero with 17 points, nine rebounds, and four steals. “You can see that we’re not familiar with each other pa. All of the teams that we’re playing against are school-based.
“They get together a lot of times. Years.”
Everyone in the league knows that Marinero arguably have the best collection of players. But for Banal, talent itself won’t really do wonders, as he insisted that everything will only work out if they will learn to work as one.
“You can see naman big names yung nasa amin: Abu Tratter, Alvin Pasaol, Billy Robles — PBA yan, Ayonayon. Puro scorer,” added the 27-year-old son of Skippers assistant coach Joel.
“What’s important right now, what we have to do is be as a team, gel as a team.
“We can’t do it as individuals,” he added. “The faster we become a team, the more chances of winning.”
The Skippers will next face another school-based team in the Wang’s Basketball-Letran Knights next Thursday. And as they go on to face the NCAA squad, Banal hopes to see a marked improvement in terms of jelling.
“It’s tough, you know. We really have to be as a team — different combinations, know each other well. Kasi sila alam nila saan pupuwesto,” said Banal.
“So yun yung challenge namin right now, [how fast do] we become a team.”
