Ginebra’s change in attitude slowly yields rewards

Jane Bracher

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Ginebra’s change in attitude slowly yields rewards
It’s way too early in the season to tell whether or not Ginebra will finally fulfill its potential. But at the very least, there is a definite objective and a clear path to getting there

MANILA, Philippines – The changes did not come all at once. In fact, the changes have not all come in just yet. They continue to come in trickles, and with the occasional half a step or two steps back. But the positives are put back in place right away.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel always had talent and promise to win championships. But they are infamous for perpetually falling short of their potential. Whether it was due to coaching switches every now and then, failing to peak at the right time, or just simply being outplayed by opponents, frustrations never seemed to leave Ginebra. 

But 6 games and a 5-1 record into the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup, one of the league’s most popular ball clubs is beginning to feel a semblance of stability and progress.

“Of course, I really can’t complain,” Ginebra head coach Jeff Cariaso said when asked if he was happy with how his team is playing at this point of the conference. 

The Gin Kings just won their third straight game when they overcame Barako Bull, 94-75, on Wednesday, November 12. Their 4 other wins came at the expense of defending Grand Slam champions Purefoods, expansion teams Blackwater and KIA, and perennial contender Talk ’N Text.

Granted, Talk ’N Text was their first game of the conference and the Texters did not have Gilas guys Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo just yet; the expansion teams aren’t really much of a threat to them; and Purefoods is in the middle of its own struggles at 2-3.

Nevertheless, Ginebra still find nuggets of wisdom they can pick up from the early wins and an early loss to NLEX. They’re nowhere near perfect. They’re not a complete championship-caliber team just yet. But progress is visible.

“Just the attitude. Guys are just playing for each other. I keep repeating that but it’s true,” Cariaso explained what difference he sees in the team so far.

“If you want to be a championship team, you have to be willing to make sacrifices. So a lot of guys, starting from the vets all the way down to the guys off the bench, they’re all making sacrifices of their own. All for the common good of the team.”

Sacrifice is most evident in the team’s ball movement so far and how they give up shots they’d usually take in favor of an open teammate or a more efficient attempt. Panicking as the shot clock winds down to even the last few seconds happens less and less. 

Ginebra’s sacrifice in sharing the ball can be measured easily with the assists they’ve tallied.

As a unit the Gin Kings normed 24 assists in the last 6 games with playmaker LA Tenorio leading the team with 5 assists per game. Ginebra has not registered assists less than 19 in any of their games. They recorded 22 dimes against Purefoods and limited their rivals to just 9. They had season-high assists against Barako Bull, where they struggled in the first half and emerged victorious with a whopping 32 assists.

“When you have more assists it means you’re looking for each other, you’re playing for each other. That’s what it’s about,” Cariaso said.

NINJA. With his teammates finding him, Joseph Yeo torched Ginebra's opponents with 5 triples in each of the team's last two games. Photo by Nuki Sabio/PBA Images

Joseph Yeo was among the primary beneficiaries of those passes as he went 10-of-16 from beyond the arc in the last two games.

“He’s (Yeo) been on fire the last couple of days so I’d like to give credit to him for his outstanding shooting. But more importantly for his teammates for finding him and looking for him,” Cariaso said. “When you have guys really playing for each other, a lot of good things happen.”

The first-time head coach shared that assists is one of two departments he wants Ginebra to master, the other being rebounds, where the Gin Kings have also succeeded so far.

Ginebra has yet to have a game where they are at a disadvantage in rebounding. In 6 games they have averaged 59 boards with 7-footer Greg Slaughter averaging 12 rebounds a contest. The biggest rebounds disparity came as they clobbered KIA, 70-36. Last season, Ginebra found themselves out-rebounded in games despite the presence of their ‘Twin Towers’ Japeth Aguilar and Slaughter.

“We want to dominate the rebounds and we want to make sure we have more assists at the end of the game,” said Cariaso, who can breathe a little easy for now as Ginebra is number one in the league in both departments, according to PBA Head Statistician Fidel Mangonon III.

There has also been a change in individual outlook when it comes to everyday improvement, which translates to the team’s actions and body language at the bench and on the court. 

The occasional glares at a teammate who made an error, or getting frustrated and firing ill-advised shots after barely touching the ball have been replaced with applause, pats on the back, and words of encouragement. The body language is more giving, the passes feel more natural and decided rather than hesitant, and the high fives look more genuine.

“When you start off and you’re struggling, the best way to get out of struggling is to keep going at it and keep pushing. And I think that’s one thing the guys are learning,” Cariaso explained.

“Every day in practice is crucial. Every day at practice is important. You being able to focus despite a loss, despite you missing a shot, despite you making an error – you’re learning how to play from there and moving on. That’s one thing I’m really proud of with the guys.”

Among the players – a lot of whom are used to run-and-gun – there is also a collective effort to buy into the system and stick with it through thick and thin – the exact attitude they need if they want to master the very tricky triangle offense.

Sometimes kasi when we run the triangle feeling namin pigil yung laro namin so minsan hindi namin masyado iniisip yung triangle,” Yeo bared, “pero eventually, makukuha rin namin yung triangle.” (Sometimes when we run the triangle we feel like we’re holding back so sometimes we don’t really think of the triangle. But eventually, we’ll get it.) 

Ginebra – which placed 3rd, 8th, and 6th, respectively, in the previous 3 conferences – has yet to face a team that will truly test their character for 4 quarters. But until then, the grind is non-stop each and every day, with little rewards propelling them forward.

“That’s really our mindset, trying to get better every day and preparing for each game,” Cariaso said. 

It’s way too early in the season to tell whether or not Ginebra will finally fulfill its potential. This conference could likely be a learning curve or, at worst, another disappointment. But at the very least, there is a definite objective and a clear path to getting there.

“It’s good where we are right now. But right now it’s just too early to be over-confident,” Cariaso said as his team takes on the San Miguel Beermen next on Sunday, November 16 and attempts to solidify their hold of second place.

“No matter where we are in the standings, we’re gonna approach this next game the way we should, which is just by being determined, being focused and being ready.” – Rappler.com

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