With new faces in tow, chemistry a big concern for Mahindra

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Despite losing almost half of its core from last conference, Mahindra guard LA Revilla is confident the Floodbuster can sustain its good run in the new PBA season if they stick to the system.

“Basically, ang sinasabi ni coach maintain yung culture na na-establish na namin,” he said.

The Floodbuster defied expectations in the 2016 Governors’ Cup, topping powerhouse teams en route to a fifth-seed finish.

Though majority of those core players were traded in the offseason, Revilla maintains his faith on coach Chris Gavina as they prepare for the 2017 Philippine Cup.

“Kung sino man yung mga natira, umaasa si coach na ma-maintain and ma-impart rin sa mga bago yung culture namin para mapabilis lang yung transition at chemistry ng team,” he said.

Mahindra didn’t go home empty handed in its offseason deals, acquiring rookies Russel Escoto and Joseph Eriobu, guards Alex Mallari, Ryan Araña, and Josan Nimes, and big man Rob Reyes.

And Revilla, who is expected to take on a bigger role this year, thinks the biggest issue the team has to address in this buildup is the team’s chemistry.

“It still comes to us coming together. There are still guys aside from me na naiwan, and I guess may mga guys din who have been in the PBA for a long time na magfifill-in ng line-up namin. So I think isa sila sa mga tutulong to fill-in those gaps,” he said.

Revilla is hoping that the Floodbuster remain hungry in this upcoming season.

“Siguro our team is still hungry, and that’s good for us kasi were always trying to compete and to play against the odds,” he said. “Maganda yun kasi we have the desire to win and to play together.”