Gelo Alolino. PBA IMAGES
Without any room for error, Tanduay knew it had to play the perfect game on Tuesday to extend the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Finals.
And the one to heed the call? Playmaker Gelo Alolino.
Underwhelming in Game 1 after posting a measly six points on a 2-of-10 shooting, the former NU Bulldog was aching to bounce back strong after that woeful showing.
“Yung Game 1 ko nga, talagang medyo kinapos,” he said. “Biniro nga ako ni coach Lawrence (Chongson) kung saan nya kukunin yung 20 points. Sinabi ko naman na babawi tayo. Going to this game, talagang positive si coach na babawi kami at bibigyan nya ako ng confidence sa court. And I’m happy naman na nakapag-deliver ako for Tanduay.”
Alolino would go on and explode for 26 points, to go with three rebounds and two assists to help the Rhum Masters pull off the 89-75 Game 2 victory at Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
“Sabi nga ni coach, do-or-die kami kaya kailangan na ibigay ang lahat. Wala na kaming bukas eh. Pag natalo kami, wala na,” he said. “Thankful lang kami kay God kasi binigyan kami ng another chance sa Thursday for Game 3. Hopefully, same result mag-translate sa amin. Kailangan pa rin manggaling sa amin, mag-adjust kami, trabahuin namin.”
With the series going to a decider, Alolino is optimistic that Tanduay’s mastery in pivotal games would come into play as the franchise seeks its first D-League title.
“Same mentality kami, pero mas maganda na ito na do-or-die. Pag nanalo ka, sa yo ang trophy. Pag talo ka, syempre masakit din,” he said.
“Magsasaya muna kami, pero konti lang. Alam namin yung capability ng Phoenix. Babalik sila at maghahanda sila ng sobra para sa amin. Mag-a-adjust kami bukas kung ano pa ang kailangan namin iimprove sa game na yun.”