Kia Picanto coach Chris Gavina. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Kia coach Chris Gavina said that he could not ask for more from his wards after their gallant stand in a 102-94 defeat to Alaska on Sunday.
“Amazing effort from my guys. Despite all that’s happening, we’re 0-9, I couldn’t be proud of my guys tonight,” Gavina said.
The Picanto were in control for the majority of the game and even held a 10-point advantage, 77-67, going to the fourth quarter.
And even if Calvin Abueva imposed his presence late in the game, Kia refused to wilt as import Geron Johnson gave his all and poured 39 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists before faltering in the end game.
Seeing how hard his team fought, Gavina noted that the effort the Picanto had especially their import Geron Johnson, who collected 39 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, against the Aces was a huge jump compared to how they played in their past outings.
“The effort that we gave, this is a game I could take. Majority of our games, I couldn’t take it because there was no effort, there was no heart. But today, all our guys were fighting for each other,” he said.
Gavina had sensed the turnaround even before the game as he saw how focused his players were in practices in leading up to the duel.
“Going into this game, our focus in practice, the way guys have the mental approach coming in, I knew we were gonna play well. I told my guys that you just showed against a really tough Alaska team that we can compete,” he said.
“I told them if you guys keep believing, keep turning this corner, stay together, you guys will be able to compete against anybody.”
And that strong belief is exactly what Kia needs to have as it seeks to upset San Miguel on Saturday and finally end its dry spell in the season-ending 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup.
“I know we have a really tough opponent against San Miguel coming up on Saturday, but like what Russell Westbrook says, ‘Why not?’ As long as you put in the work, and you’ll learn from our mistakes in this game where we didn’t fold in the last minute and a half, and keep our composure, who knows? We’d pull out a win. So let’s hope everybody will keep their heads up and their spirits high,” Gavina said.
“At this point, all we can play for is pride and have that level of togetherness which we’re gonna use as a platform for next year.”