PAGADIAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR — KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue are well aware of the tough task that lies ahead in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Southern Finals as they take on the undefeated Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders on Wednesday night here.
At the same time, this KCS squad is no stranger to taking on adversity head-on. They faced a similar task back in the Visayas leg finals.
Up against an MJAS-Talisay City squad that went undefeated in the elimination round, KCS buckled down and handed the powerhouse Talisay a 67-66 loss in Game One. And even though Talisay got back in Game Two, 63-56, KCS eventually dominated Game Three, 89-75, to win the Visayas title.
In the Southern Finals, they are facing similar odds with Basilan currently on a 10-0 winning streak. That includes two dominant wins against Roxas in the Mindanao leg finals.
KCS, though, remains unfazed.
“We just have to play the KCS way.
“We have to value every possession, and we have to make good use of our concepts. We also have to execute our defense properly,” said KCS head coach Mike Reyes.
KCS assistant coach Jabby Bautista, who has also been activated to the playing roster, said they have to trust what they have been working on.
“We must focus on what we’ve been doing since the Visayas leg,” said Bautista. “Trust the system and get great play from Joseph Nalos and Gileant Delator.
“Crucial sila kasi sila magdadala ng pace ng team.”
Nalos, a former Adamson Falcon who previously played for Bataan in the MPBL, said he and the rest of the team remain up to the challenge. This, even after they lost their three best players — namely Visayas finals MVP Ping Exciminiano, top scorer Gryann Mendoza, and Al Francis Tamsi.
“We all know na ang Basilan is a powerhouse team. And kami nawalan pa ng mga veterans kasi bumalik na sa PBA. Sabi ko lang na maglaro kami sa mga laro namin,” said Nalos.
“No pressure kahit sino pa kalaban. Laruin lang namin yung system namin.”
Their defense, which was KCS’s calling card in the Visayas leg, will need to be on point, added Nalos.
“Siguro makaka-compete kami sa kanila dahil sa defense namin. Yang ang no.1 na way para maka compete sa kanila. Gawin lang namin kung anong ginagawa namin sa ensayo. I-apply lang namin sa actual game because we know naman kung gaano kalakas ang Basilan but lalaban kami.”
By: Jonas Panerio
