After picking up a morale-boosting win against the Perpetual Altas last May 2, the Gilas Pilipinas Cadets seemed to have found their groove. And it carried over to Tuesday evening when they took on the UP Fighting Maroons.
Even without the services of Juan Gomez de Liano, Paul Desiderio, and Abu Tratter, the Cadets were able to push the tempo against the Fighting Maroons — even leading by as much as 16 points in the third frame, 50-34. The Cadets, however, crumbled.
“We were leading pero di namin ma-close out yung laro, but that’s just part of the growing pains of the young ones playing together and me learning their strengths and weaknesses,” disclosed head coach Jong Uichico. “Of course, gusto man natin to win and get to the championship, siyempre your goal, part of your goal of joining the Filoil is try to get to know them also. Kaya lang, na fast track yung tournament.
“If we had more practice time which we don’t have the luxury of doing… ngayon ko lang nalalaman yung strengths and weaknesses.“
Behind the troika of Juan Gomez de Liano, Jun Manzo, and Bright Akhuetie, the Fighting Maroons stormed back. As the floodgates opened, the Cadets played with their heads down. It was a scene reminiscent of their first three games of the tournament where they could not keep up with championship-caliber teams Ateneo Blue Eagles, DLSU Green Archers, and San Beda Red Lions.
As UP’s flurry settled, Gilas lost 72-78, their fourth loss in five games.
“Of course the first three games we weren’t really ready. We played championship teams ‘di ba? Then we played Perpetual which we won. Today we almost won today’s game, dominating the whole game until they caught up,” lamented Uichico.
“Mature teams or teams who have been together, will know how to get away from that situation. But we lost by four points with probably five practice days before entering the tournament.”
Even with expectations high on them, Uichico is tempering them, saying that the primary goal of the Cadets in this tournament is to develop familiarity and brotherhood.
“Me personally, I’m not worried naman not making it to the quarters or finals. I’m not worried about that,” the decorated tactician disclosed. “If I’m worried about or if I’m concerned about anything it’s just trying to get them to jell. That’s the primary purpose of this tournament that we joined — it’s not necessarily to win the championship. Kung gusto namin manalo ng championship edi hindi na namin papalaruin sa ibang team ‘di ba? Mag concentrate na lang sila sa Gilas.
“But it’s not the purpose.”
