TERRAFIRMA would still be missing at least one key piece, but coach Johnedel Cardel is confident his Dyip have what it takes to upend the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters today at the start of their campaign in the PBA Governors Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Rain or Shine and vastly re-tooled Blackwater collide in the nightcap with each also hoping to get off on the right foot in the season-ending conference.
“Just excited to compete again with this hardworking and defensive-minded squad that we put together,” said coach Ariel Vanguardia, who was tapped to replace Nash Racela last September after the Bossing failed to win a single game in the Philippine Cup to stretch their losing streak to a league-worst 19.
“Rain or Shine plays up-tempo basketball so it’s going to be a defensive grind for us.”
Blackwater should indeed be in for a long night, what with eight new players, a relatively untested import in Jaylen Bond and without Kelly Nabong and David Semerad. Nabong will miss the early part of the as he continues to recover from off-season surgery on his feet while Semerad also recently underwent surgery on his left knee and would be out six months.
For his part, Elasto Painters coach Chris Gavina simply wants to have a clearer idea of where their pre-tournament preparations will take them.
“We will be tested right away with a Blackwater team which is under a new coach and running a new system,” said Gavina. “For us, our primary focus this pre-season was making sure we got everyone on the same page in regards to what level of intensity, focus, details and execution it takes to become a quality team in the PBA.
“Now that we’ve had at least a week of practice with our import, Henry Walker, I think we’re at a point where our guys are excited to get this new conference going and confident in being able to improve on our quarterfinals finish last conference and get deeper into the playoffs in this Governors Cup.”
Terrafirma also likes to open its campaign on a high note but knows it would take some doing.
“Excited na makalaro ulit pero medyo tempered kasi kulang pa rin players namin,” said Cardel on the eve of the match.
“Pero sanay na naman tayo ng ganoon so tingnan natin,” added Cardel. “We’ve done well in our practices and tuneup games naman kahit wala sila.”
