Mahindra takes step forward despite fourth straight loss

MANILA, Philippines – It’s been a rough ride to start the season for the Mahindra Floodbuster. They opened the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup desperately trying to catch a break, but have so far lost their first 4 games.

The losses have been unusual – blowouts that became a tad bit respectable in the end after the third year expansion team rallied at the last minute – from a squad that came off last season’s Governors’ Cup having made the playoffs for the first time.

But their 94-91 setback against defending champions San Miguel Beermen last Sunday, December 11, was a little different from the first 3. For the first time, they put themselves in a good position to win, and there was also an uptick in their overall demeanor on the court.

“The energy that our guys showed in practice really transferred over into the game,” coach Chris Gavina said. “Defensively, everybody really stuck to our game plan, they really bought into one another.”

“For me, this is the first game that I would say that we looked like a team. The past 3 games, we just looked like just a bunch of individuals out there,” he added.

“Guys looked like they were caring for each other, backing each other up, and it showed. We were on little details, missed free throws, missed lay-ups.”

The Floodbuster, who are now the only winless team this conference, capitalized on the complacent Beermen to lead by as much as 13 early in the game. They came painfully close when they took a 3-point lead on a cold-blooded 3-pointer from rookie Joseph Eriobu with 1:53 left to play.

But San Miguel’s veteran players took over to reclaim the advantage. Mahindra had a chance to force overtime, down just 3 with 5 seconds remaining, but Alex Mallari’s last-gasp triple, which flew in a straight line, fell short.

Gavina, who held his breath with the rest of the bench as Mallari launched the trey, punched the air in dismay.

“Definitely a big step forward. I told our guys that I think this is the beginning of our season,” he later said.

“The fact that we showed that we can compete against the defending champions means that we can compete against anybody.

“And for me, I always thought that even when we started that it will just take time, it will take time for our guys to trust one another, believe in the system, and once they saw that it will work and that each of them can be really effective, and now our leaders are emerging.”

Gavina praised Mallari, who poured 21 points with 8 rebounds, as well as playmaker LA Revilla, who chipped in 15 markers and 3 assists.

There is also plenty of promise in Eriobu with his 17-point, 6-rebound performance off the bench and his no-fear attitude playing at crunch time.

“Man, Joseph is a tremendous talent. I don’t even think he knows what his true potential is yet. He’s having fun out there, which is good,” said Gavina. “Him and Russel (Escoto) are really learning game to game, but it’s just their energy and their willingness to get better at practice, that’s what’s really paying off for them now in the games.”

Mahindra pushed San Miguel even as 3-time MVP June Mar Fajardo posted 28 points and 15 rebounds, and Arwind Santos had a memorable night of career milestones playing in his 500th PBA game.

Aside from working for a breakthrough win, the Floodbuster are also dealing with the loss of veteran guard Gary David to injury.

Gavina said David, who was signed early in the season, injured his left knee after seeing action for just one game with Mahindra.

“I think he has a minor meniscus tear,” he said. “Gary is being evaluated by our doctors. We do not know what the structural damage is to his knee, if he might need surgery. If he does need surgery, then he’ll be out of commission for at least 4 to 5 weeks.“

To make up for David’s loss, the team brought in former University of Santo Tomas standout Jeric Teng, who played 3 seasons for Rain or Shine but was unable to carry over his momentum from the UAAP to the pros.

“Jeric showed a lot these past few days of what he’s capable of,” Gavina said. “He showed that he’s capable of being a great defender, and once he gets his game legs and his rhythm shots going, I think he’ll be fine.”

Mahindra will try to notch its first win against Barangay Ginebra on Friday, December 16. – Rappler.com