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ADRIAN STEWART CO
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AS IT currently lags behind in the standings of the 2016-2017 Oppo PBA Philippine Cup, the Mahindra Floodbuster has no other wish but to finally notch its first win in six matches on Christmas Day.
The Floodbuster will be facing Blackwater Elite as part of the Christmas Day offering of the PBA at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. The other match will be between rivals Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings and Star Hotshots.
Floodbuster interim coach Chris Gavina said he is confident that, even with a rag-tag lineup, they can steal a victory over the Elite, which is currently on second place in the standings with a 4-2 slate.
“For our Christmas to be merry, we have to find ways to deal with adversity,” Gavina said. “There’s a big level of accountability, including myself. This is gonna be a season of adversity, each struggle just another opportunity to really test our character.”
After letting go of some of its key players during the off-season, the Floodbuster has yet to find the right mix as it has already used or lined up 20 players with just over a month since the Philippine Cup began.
The Floodbuster opened the season with Reden Celda, LA Revilla, Josan Nimes, Mike Digregorio, Philip Paniamogan, Alex Mallari, Jason Deutchman, Pedrito Galanza, Ryan Araña, Dennice Villamor, Mark Yee, Russel Escoto, Jason Ballesteros, Joseph Eriobu, and Jeckster Apinan.
Since then, the Floodbuster has already added Gary David, Rey Guevarra, Jeric Teng, Joshua Webb, and Nico Elorde to strengthen its lineup, but to no avail, as it has yet to register a victory.
The Floodbuster had lopsided losses against the GlobalPort Batang Pier (97-75), Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (105-83), Phoenix Fuel Masters (114-104), and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings (89-70).
Its lone bright spot was against the defending champion San Miguel Beermen. The Floodbuster was leading since the start of the match until the Beermen came up with an endgame run to steal a 94-91 win.
“As a coach, I won’t let guys slip. My standards will still be consistent because for me it’s gonna be the way to build from your struggle,” Gavina said. “If you keep holding your team to higher standards, hopefully they learn through adversity moving forward.”
“We’re focused on the Blackwater game, and hopefully we get that first win on Christmas Day. I don’t think anybody wants to go home before Christmas break on a loss,” he added.
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Since Christmas is just around the corner, I can’t help but remember a story a fellow writer told me a few years ago regarding the “Christmas habit” of a known sports patron.
“Basta pag Christmas season na, napapakanta na yan si sir/ma’am ng ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year.’ Panu ba naman, pila-pila na ang grasya sa labas ng house niya,” the writer said.
“Sari-saring mga tao yun: may artista, may mga basketbolista at kung anu-ano pa. Lahat gusto mamasko,” he added. “Syempre papayag ba naman si sir/ma’am na ‘merry Christmas’ lang? Syempre hindi. Dapat may ‘happy New Year,’ may putukan.”
“Yan naman kasi si sir/ma’am hindi mo mapapaghalataan e. Kung titignan mo siya parang hindi naman kahina-hinala na berde. Hindi rin naman siya kasi nakikipagrelasyon, patikim-tikim lang,” he further said.
“Ang hilig naman niya yung mga tipong ‘private live show,’ yung may mga nagma-macho-dancing sa harap niya sa bahay niya. Minsan mga players, minsan kung sinu-sino.
“Kaya nga minsan muntik ma-eskandalo yan. May inimbita kasi siyang diplomat para manuod din ng ‘private live show.’ E ang ingay-ingay nila kaya naburyong yung mga kapitbahay nila.
“Mabuti na lang at nadaan sa areglo yung mga kapitbahay niya kundi laking kahihiyan para kay sir/ma’am. Andami pa naman niyang mga hawak na negosyo dito sa bansa,” the writer said.
“Clue? Hindi na kailangan ng clue yan. Maning-mani lang yan sa mga readers. Maning-mani.”/PN
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