Star Hotshots veterans Marc Pingris and James Yap admitted there already had been tension among the players after the team went on a disappointing 0-3 start in the conference.
But instead of letting the team fall apart completely, the Hotshots used a players-only meeting to solve whatever problems they had been experiencing internally.
“May time talaga na medyo nag-aaway-away na kami sa team dahil sa mga talo. Lahat ng team dumadaan sa ganoong sitwasyon eh. So kailangan dito instead na maghilahan kayo pababa, kailangan i-angat niyo ang isa’t isa. Pag-usapan niyo ng maayos as a team, ganun lang,” Pingris shared Wednesday.
“Nagkausap kami pagkatapos noong laro sa Laguna. Nag-usap kami, kung ano yung gusto sabihin (ng bawat isa) para maparating din kay coach, tayo-tayo. Nag-usapan lahat. Kahit papano, lumalabas talaga laro namin.”
The meeting proved to be a huge boost, reinvigorating the Hotshots, who were able to pull off an astounding 122-103 win over the Blackwater Elite Wednesday.
Star played with more togetherness and were visibly enjoying themselves, celebrating at every highlight and egging each other on.
The win provided to be a sigh of relief for the struggling team, Yap said afterwards.
Photo courtesy of PBA Images
“Malaking bagay to. Kung naging 0-4 kami, baka galit-galit na kaming lahat. Away-away na. Buti nanalo kami. Kumbaga yung masama yung loob mo na natalo ka, gumaan ngayon,” he said.
“Noong 0-3 doon na lumalabas yung nagdodoubt ka na, as an individual iisipin mo anong kulang, iisipin mo kundisyon ba ako o hindi. Ang dami mong ginagawa, ang dami mong iniisip. Ngayon nanalo kami, medyo loose. Pag natatalo kasi lumalabas yung mga negative.”
Chemistry — both on and off the court — is a vital key in a team’s quest for success. Such openness among members helped Star pick up their first win, as they approached their problems professionally and were able to come up with a move that re-injected fire to the squad.
It’s a great way to deal with adversity, and also an ideal way to show how a team possesses enough maturity when put under pressure.
