Gican, Altas still blessed despite Final 4 exit

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Despite falling short of its goal to win the NCAA Season 92 title, Perpetual coach Jimwell Gican still sees the Altas’ campaign as an overachievement considering the facelift the team underwent in the offseason.

“Para sa akin, proud ako kasi sa preparasyon pa lang, wala na kami. Tapos bitin, hindi naman kasi kaagad mag-jell ang mga players. Blessed pa rin na nakarating kami ng Final Four,” he said.

Perpetual bowed out of the tournament after a 78-63 Game 2 loss to San Beda in the Final Four on Monday, and Gican offered no excuses for the team’s shortcoming.

“Kinapos. Ganun talaga eh. This is the basketball world. May nananalo, may natatatalo. Mas marami silang nai-shoot kaysa sa amin, ganoon kasimple,” he said.

Still, Gican is glad for the fight the Altas showed all season, defying expectations after the departure of MVP Scottie Thompson and coach Aric del Rosario and establishing themselves as the league’s best defensive team.

“Di namin in-expect yung ganitong sitwasyon this season. Akala din namin di kami makakapasok sa top four,” he said. “Bagong sistema and yung mga players di masyado na-expose last year, but yung sistema naman namin is team talaga. Lahat may opportunity, lahat may option.”

Gican, though, hopes to build on this promising run as Perpetual aspires for a bigger goal next season.

“Sana next year, iba na yung kapalaran namin kasi yun talaga yung goal namin,” he said.