After Othyus Jeffers converted a fastbreak layup that increased Ginebra’s lead to double-digits and forced Blackwater to call a timeout, the Ginebra bench celebrated and even took time to look at the PhilSports Arena big screen to check what just happened.
The team exchanged a few laughs after seeing the replay, and even mimicked the shot on their own with goofy looks on their faces before they finally settled down to talk about the next defensive possession.
Even amidst a sub-par second quarter which saw Blackwater take control with a nine-point lead, head coach Tim Cone wasn’t livid on the sidelines. He was collected, with arms folded, as if showing everyone he has an even stronger sense of trust in his squad now.
Ginebra closed the first half on a 16-4 note and followed it with a strong start in the third quarter, to put Blackwater away. The team held on for an 89-79 win over the Elite, improving to 4-3 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup and leaving good smiles on each of the team members’ faces.
Ginebra has won four out of its last five outings, and the team’s “connective-ness” has been more evident on Sunday than it was before. And the veterans are chiefly responsible for it.
“Usually, minsan after practice yung ibang guys kumakain sa labas. Sometimes buo kami. Actually, yung guys, they play a lot of video games. Lagi yun. Active sila. The veterans, sina LA (Tenorio), Mark (Caguioa), Joe (Devance), Sol (Mercado), lagi sila,” Japeth Aguilar said of the team’s elder statesmen leading the charge when it comes to off-court chemistry.
Such initiative is reflecting inside the hardcourt. On Sunday, Ginebra passed more than 300 times and dished out 25 assists, compared to only 16 for Blackwater.
“It’s up to us para magtulungan sa loob ng court,” Aguilar said.
Slaughter added the squad takes an initiative to go out together as much as they can, and it impacting the team in a lot of ways.
Photo courtesy of PBA Images
“Definitely, there is a different mood towards each other compared to the previous few conferences. That comes along with time together,” Slaughter shared.
“I think just we build more chemistry as we go. Our leaders are doing a great job keeping us together, Mark, Jay-jay, LA, and we just follow their example. They set the example how to have good chemistry.”
The top defensive team in the league, Ginebra also boosts of a league-best 23.7 assists/game and a league-second best net rating of +4.9.
Such positives on the offensive end are encouraging signs for the crew still in the early stages of a long-term transformation under Cone.
“I am loving it. They have no problem sacrificing individual offense for wins. It does not matter where it comes from, as long as we keep running the system and keep the ball moving, just having each other’s backs then we will be headed toward the right direction,” Slaughter said.
Knowing it would take a huge amount of time to get to an elite level, and that Ginebra members cannot skip steps in the long-term attempt to change the team’s identity, they just go the extra distance on and off the court the speed up the process. And there’s no denying the progress they have accomplished at this point.
