Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
TNT coach Nash Racela was at loss for words after his side suffered a 111-102 Game 5 defeat to San Miguel in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Friday.
“I would like to say that San Miguel easily outplayed us, but that’s just not the case,” said the soft-spoken coach, seemingly struggling to find the right words to say.
Racela looked the other way and raised that just like in Game 3, turnovers once again led to the KaTropa’s downfall as they committed 24 turnovers which led to 23 turnover points for the Beermen.
“Again, we have to limit our turnovers. I think that’s number one,” he said.
Those miscues haunted TNT as it lost its 15-point halftime lead, 61-46, and succumbed to a furious San Miguel rally in the second half.
Racela continued: “We also have to limit San Miguel’s free throws.”
TNT was called for 32 fouls for the game, which led to San Miguel going 26-of-38 from the charity stripe. In comparison, the Beermen had 23 fouls, which turned to the KaTropa’s 14-of-21 shooting from the free throw line.
Racela and his coaching staff have two days to devise a plan to trim those free throws attempt down, downplaying the situation. “I don’t know how. We’ll find ways to better defend them.”
One thing’s for sure, is that TNT will come to play on Sunday with one goal in mind: to force a Game 7.
“Again, the goal is to get to a Game 7. I think that’s the target of a lot of people,” he said. “I mean, your emotions cannot be dictated by this game. You just have to focus on the next one, and there will be a Game 7.”