Baser Amer lamented that their woeful third canto played a huge role in the 81-88 defeat they got in the hands of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game One of their 2018 Commissioner’s Cup quarters, Monday.
The Bolts had a 45-38 lead at the half, only to blow it up by allowing the Gin Kings to outscore them 29-17 in the third to end the frame with a 67-62 lead – a wall which Meralco could not overcome the rest of the way.
“Okay naman kami. Nandun naman yung laro namin. Lumamang pa nga kami nung halftime. Nag-run lang talaga sila nung third quarter. Hindi namin na-stop,” lamented Amer.
“Overall, lumaban naman kami. Andun naman yung laro namin.”
But aside from their defensive collapse, Amer also emphasized the way they shot the ball.
After shooting a blistering 66.7 percent from the field in the second quarter, Meralco suddenly went cold come the third canto, as they only converted seven of the 22 shots they had taken, with 3-of-12 coming from beyond the arc.
“Deciding lang talaga yung third quarter. Lumamang sila tapos nagtuloy tuloy. Hindi kami maka-stop eh. Hindi rin kami maka-shoot,” said the third-year pro.
The Bolts now have their backs against the wall, as a loss this coming Wednesday – still at the Big Dome – will kick them out of the semifinal race. So for the 25-year-old Amer, Game Two is definitely a must-win situation for them.
“After ng game, okay namin kami. Positive naman yung morale ng team. Hinid pa naman kami laglag eh. May chance pa naman. So mag-start yun sa Game Two. Must-win talaga para maka-force kami ng Game Three.”
