Gavina: Mahindra no longer overlooked

Enforcer deputy Chris Gavina. PBA IMAGES

Either Mahindra folds or endures in its coming games.

Enforcer deputy Chris Gavina feels the next several weeks will reveal the true identity of his team after reeling to its second consecutive loss Wednesday.

Gavina also thinks the rest of the league has definitely taken notice on Mahindra’s emergence as a surprise team after setting a franchise-best 4-0 start this conference.

“I think now, a lot of teams are definitely preparing their best, so we’re getting the teams’ best now. I think we’re no longer being overlooked,” he said.

“Our level of preparation has got to even go higher than how we started when we went 4-0, so it’s a true test of our character right now, so really, that’s how great teams grow. We got to go through these lows to get to the highs.”

Gavina also pointed out Mahindra’s sloppy offensive play the past two games as a big factor to their losses.

“This is the second straight game that we gave away. We gave up 20 points off turnovers and those are the things we can control. It shouldn’t even come down to the end of the game where we needed one basket,” he said.

“We got the stops we needed on defense. I give credit to Walker; he hit some amazing shots at the end of the game. we didn’t execute the way we used to at the end of the game.”

The loss of its starting point guard LA Revilla, who missed his third game in a row due to a broken nose, has been sorely missed by the Enforcer.

“Definitely. Our rotations changed tremendously since he left. Guys that aren’t used to playing extended minutes have to play those minutes now. And it’s a matter of adapting themselves to how their being scouted and how teams are playing them now. So they have to be willing to step up until he gets back.”