This war can be won on steel nerves

There are two more games left in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, but coach Tim Cone cannot be blamed for saying he looks forward to playing only one more match.

In fact, the final score of Game 5, 85-74, was a lot wider than how the game, terribly fierce and tough, was played.
On the whole, it was not an ordinary game, but more of honest-to-goodness very crucial combat.

Of course, Game 5 could’ve gone either way, until Meralco allowed itself to be distressed and distracted in the last two minutes.

Coach Cone slammed his chair and inflicted harm on the innocent floor in the third quarter, the violence resulting from an uncharacteristic stand by two inside defenders who got glued on the floor, thereby allowing Meralco powerman Allen Durham to score unopposed off a big rebound.

To be fair to the Ginebra mentor, the floor slam appeared to have worked wonders, thus readily putting everybody in war mode.

This would not be the case with Meralco.

Coach Norman Black stood up and momentarily left the bench, his arms spread-eagled, to seek justice from only-commissioner Chito Narvasa-knows-where.

Sorry, but the Meralco team would never be the same again after that distraction.

There indeed were loose calls, but it would be unfair to suspect the title series could be decided by the referees.

Majority of fans we talked to were one in saying there were several times that officiating had been unkind to the Meralco side on Sunday.

But what readily stood out in that make-or-break Game 5 was the valor and tenacity of seasoned spitfire LA Tenorio.
Tenorio, playing with severe elbow injury, repeatedly brought the necessary fire that helped wear out opponents in the stretch.

Take that breathtaking clash when Tenorio sagged and stood in the path of an overpowering opponent. He was predictably slapped with a block, and appeared hurt as he picked himself from the floor. The Meralco foul-shooter flubbed both free shots.

While Tenorio was doing his thing, Reynel Hugnatan suddenly turned dumb from the perimeter.

The veteran warrior also committed a couple of stepping violations, while allowing an unopposed basket as he stood like a statue while his man slipped by.

Blame it on fatigue or distraction. Coach Black and his men cannot afford to lose grip again.

Wednesday night’s match is a no-tomorrow war for Meralco. Coach Black knows this could be won on steel nerves.