Gavina laments team’s selfish play in loss to Phoenix

Tis the season of giving, but Kia head coach Chris Gavina felt his team got a little bit selfish.

Kia’s second game in the PBA Philippine Cup ended in a 125-102 disappointment to Phoenix Wednesday at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo, and Gavina pinpointed one thing that saw them go through a downward spiral.

“Ugly—that’s really one word to describe it all today, a lot of ‘me ball’ again,” said Gavina. “Our guys had the deer in the headlights [look] again in trying to feel as if statistics were more important than team effort to win this game.”

“Not one person is going to deliver us the win, it has to be total team effort. It showed today, our level of selfishness on the court.”

The Picanto registered just 18 assists in the game, seven less than what the Fuel Masters tallied, and shot 36-of-81 from the field.

Gavina may have singled out his team’s lack of ball movement, but there was more to the loss than the assist tallies.

Phoenix bullied Kia in the paint to the tune of 66 inside points and with the Fuel Masters outrebounding the Picanto 53-39, and 17-9 in the offensive glass.

For Gavina, though, the new season is just on its first steps and he remains confident they can turn their 0-2 start around.