Moala Tautuaa of Cebuana (dark) denies Keith Agovida of KeraMix (light). PBA Images/Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines–Another conference, another life for the Cagayan-Gerry’s Rising Suns.
Finishing the PBA D-League Foundation Cup in second place with hulking talisman Moala Tautuaa at their helm, the Rising Suns had high hopes for the Aspirants’ Cup.
As luck, however, would have it, Tautuaa moved on to Cebuana Lhuillier leaving Cagayan without an unquestioned leader.
Cagayan started the Foundation Cup with a 1-1 record after a win over AMA and an upset loss to MP Hotel that needed as buzzer-beater.
READ: Nambatac gives MP Hotel first Aspirants’ Cup win, shocks Cagayan
Abel Galliguez, Cagayan’s floor general and one ballsy shooter, said without Tautuaa they now have to have better ball movement and rely on themselves instead on just one person.
“I think just being consistent from our input, defensive wise, offensive wise we have to play more as a team collectively on the court,” Gthe Fil-Am Galliguez said Friday afternoon during the team’s launch.
“When it comes to defensive rotations and moving the ball better, with Mo you can just throw it to him and watch him go to work, but with us, we have to move the ball more, create for each other and make that extra pass.”
Galliguez added that he is ready to take a bigger role with the team, but will still follow their team-first philosophy.
“I’m very flexible with what they ask from me,” Galliguez said. “If my role has expanded to score more and be more aggressive offensively, I’m more comfortable with that. If I need to pass more, I’m okay with that.” CC