Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Peter June Simon surrendered to the fact that in front of nearly 17,000 rowdy fans on Sunday, Star was just no match.
“Actually, yun talaga ang sixth man ng Ginebra,” he said. “Ever since nandito pa si coach Tim (Cone), napapansin nya rin na sobrang laking tulong ng crowd sa kanila. The best way na i-tame yung crowd is wag sila palamangin at bigyan ng magagandang plays dahil nabu-boost yung players nila.”
Unfortunately for Star, it wasn’t able to do that in the latest Manila Clasico clash.
Leading by 17, 49-32, the Hotshots blew it and allowed a furious fightback from the Gin Kings overwhelm them in the second half, eventually leading to a 116-103 victory for Ginebra to the delight of the crowd.
“Obviously, napakaganda ng defense namin ng first half. Nung second half, medyo nag-let down kami ng konti sa defense. Doon talaga kami nakakakuha ng momentum eh,” said Simon.
Ginebra just fired on all cylinders in the second half as it exploded for 38 points in the payoff period.
Meanwhile, Star stumbled to its fourth straight defeat, keeping it in the bottom four of the standings and in danger of missing the playoffs in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup.
Simon admits that slowly, the frustration is once again creeping on the team.
“Di naman mawawala yun kasi sanay tayo na nasa gitna o nasa top,” he said.
But what matters for the Hotshots now is keeping the right attitude, as they hope to string a few wins late in the eliminations to squeeze themselves in the quarterfinals.
“Nasa situation na kami na our backs are against the wall. Laban lang kasi kung gi-give up kami ngayon, pagbabayaran namin in the end,” said Simon.
“Habang di pa tapos, wala namang gi-give up. Kita naman na walang bumibitaw hanggang dulo. Looking forward kami na makakuha kami ng streak bago matapos yung conference na ito. May nakikita pa naman kaming slight chance at yung mga teammates ko, di pa naman gumi-give up at umaasa pa kami na makakapasok pa kami sa quarters.”