DESPITE having players hard hit by injuries, Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel vowed the Dyip are not one to go out without a fight.
“Nasa natitira naman naming players kung gusto nilang manalo,” Cardel said. “Pero maganda naman itinatakbo ng team and at least nakakalaro silang lahat ngayon.
“Basta ang sabi ko lagi, ‘Kapag ipinasok kayo, dapat ready palagi,’” he added.
Whether his remaining able players could heed the call will be known when Terrafirma seeks a third straight win at the expense of slumping Phoenix today in the PBA On Tour at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The match is set at 5 p.m. before unbeaten Magnolia takes on NorthPort in the nightcap at 7:30.
Big man Andreas Cahilig (hand) and guard Ed Daquioag (flu) are doubtful for Terrafirma but Cardel will rely on the likes of Juami Tiongson and Eric Camson in the Dyip’s bid to do an encore to a 107-102 triumph over Meralco five days ago that raised their mark to 3-3.
“At saka maganda kasi idinidepensa namin ngayon. Kahit 10 to 11 players lang kami, iyong mga players gusto talagang manalo,” Cardel said. “Willing silang mag-sacrifice sa depensa at sa opensa mas patient kaya ito ang resulta.”
Cardel is wary of the Fuel Masters, who seemed to have gotten his numbers. He has not won over Phoenix since he took over at the helm of Terrafirma in 2018.
“Itong Phoenix medyo kotra-pelo kami. Pero naka-dalawang sunod na panalo kami kaya siguro baka puwede naming masilat,” he said. “Basta i-double lang effort sa depensa namin. Tapos sa opensa, doon naman mapupunta iyon, eh. Kapag nakaka-stop kami, makaka-score kami.”
