After second half breakdown, TNT, Racela shift eyes on goal of Game 7

Alyssa Rola

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After second half breakdown, TNT, Racela shift eyes on goal of Game 7
'We just have to focus on the next one, and there will be a Game 7,' says the TNT coach

MANILA, Philippines – TNT KaTropa head coach Nash Racela muttered only a few words of reflection following his team’s Game 5 defeat against the San Miguel Beermen on Friday, June 30. 

The Friday match has, in fact, followed the same storyline as that of the KaTropa’s Game 3 meltdown, where turnovers spelled doom for Racela’s squad. 

“We have to limit our turnovers [number one],” Racela said after the game. “Number two, we have to limit San Miguel’s free throws.”

“The free throws of San Miguel, we have to limit that. I don’t know how. Maybe we’ll find ways to better defend them,” he added.

After being down by double digits at halftime, the Beermen turned things around in the 3rd quarter as they exploded for a 36-18 offensive outing. 

The KaTropa tried to orchestrate an endgame rally when Jayson Castro forced a turnover to deliver a 4-point swing and cut the SMB lead to 107-102. 

But the triple that would have been the game changer failed to sink in for Castro, and the Beermen ran away with the ball and the crucial victory with less than a minute left in Game 5. 

Despite virtually claiming a twice-to-beat in this best-of-7 championship series, San Miguel head coach Leo Austria said the Beermen will come in prepared for whatever adjustments TNT will make in Game 6.

“Yeah [twice-to-beat], but it’s not yet over. Next game, maybe it’s a different kind of ball game,” said Austria. 

“They keep on adjusting,” he noted of their competitors. “I think we have to anticipate whatever kind of adjustment they have to make. [But] I’m happy for them [the Beermen], that they refused to lose.” 

Racela, for his part, noted that the KaTropa will just have to shift their mindset to the goal of making it a complete 7-game series. 

“The goal is to get to a Game 7. I mean, your emotions cannot be dictated by this game,” he added. “We just have to focus on the next one, and there will be a Game 7.” Rappler.com

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