Mallari takes blame for Mahindra loss to TNT

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Alex Mallari took full responsibility for Mahindra’s 86-84 loss to TNT on Sunday.

Down by three, 84-81 in the final 12 seconds, the veteran swingman seemed to have lost track of the situation and went for an ill-fated drive against Roger Pogoy.

That shot doomed Mahindra as it reeled to its third straight loss and fifth in six outings overall.

“That’s probably the worst play I’ve ever done,” he said. “I don’t know. It was just an out-of-body experience. It was a nightmare.”

The fault, however, shouldn’t fall solely on Mallari’s shoulders as the Floodbuster collectively failed to convert on their numerous tries late and turned the ball over one too many times.

The 30-year-old Mallari said that this close shave should serve as another lesson for the youthful Mahindra crew moving forward, saying, “That’s what makes the best teams great: executing down the stretch.”

Mallari is hopeful that sooner or later, the Floodbuster can put all of their troubles behind as their coach Chris Gavina seeks consistency from his players.

“We’re not there yet and it falls on me, Keith (Wright), and the rest of the team’s leaders. But we’re hanging in there. We just have to execute our plays down the stretch,” Mallari said.

“I take responsibility for that last shot and this game. It was on me and we just have to move on to the next game.”

Mahindra takes on San Miguel next on April 19.