IN A recent interview, Barako Bull guard Willie Miller admitted his team is treading dangerous grounds.
"Parang naghinintay lang kami ng playoffs at saka doon i-tu-turn on ang game. Lalo na kaming mga beterano, dahil nga sanay na kami sa playoff atmosphere," said two-time Most Valuable Player.
"Medyo delikado iyon dahil baka hindi mag-on," he added. "Kaya nga dapat iyung desire at energy namin naipapakita na ngayon pa lang. Kapag di nangyari iyon sa susunod na laro at lalo na sa playoffs kasalanan na talaga namin."
"Parang naghinintay lang kami ng playoffs at saka doon i-tu-turn on ang game. Lalo na kaming mga beterano, dahil nga sanay na kami sa playoff atmosphere," said two-time Most Valuable Player.
"Medyo delikado iyon dahil baka hindi mag-on," he added. "Kaya nga dapat iyung desire at energy namin naipapakita na ngayon pa lang. Kapag di nangyari iyon sa susunod na laro at lalo na sa playoffs kasalanan na talaga namin."
Miller's words came before the Energy dropped another game last Thursday, their sixth defeat in seven games that relegated them into seventh place and a twice-to-win handicap against Talk N Text, which wound up as the second-best team.
Whether Miller's worst fears will come true is another matter, for the Tropang Texters have their own major concerns at the start of the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"They beat us the last time, plus we're coming off a tough game while they're well-rested," noted Reyes, whose team had a mere three days rest to the Energy's six.
"It wouldn't have been a problem if we're complete, but it is an issue now that we're decimated." Barako's pitiful elims windup is a far cry from the team that crowded the pre-tourney favorites at the top by going on a 5-1 start.
Comparatively speaking, TNT's 2-3 slate in its last five games is not bad at all. But those losses, capped by an 82-96 defeat to Ginebra at elims end last Sunday, came at a time when Reyes has hoped his team would be priming up for the playoffs.
Main reason for the defending champion's relatively sorry state is the spate of injuries to its key players.
Ryan Reyes, Jared Dillinger and Jimmy Alapag are suiting up but Ranidel de Ocampo and Aaron Aban are likely to sit this one out, not to mention Ali Peek.
Barako won over TNT 100-86 last Oct. 19, when Miller had 27 points and six assists and Dylan Ababou chipped in 20.
Reyes expects them, along with Mick Pennisi, Dorian Pena, Danny Seigle and Dorian Pena, to lead the Energy's charge anew.
"We must find a way to match up with their bigs without Ali and Ranidel while containing Miller and Ababou in the perimeter," said Reyes.
Source: http://www.pba.ph/news/entry/1304
Whether Miller's worst fears will come true is another matter, for the Tropang Texters have their own major concerns at the start of the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"They beat us the last time, plus we're coming off a tough game while they're well-rested," noted Reyes, whose team had a mere three days rest to the Energy's six.
"It wouldn't have been a problem if we're complete, but it is an issue now that we're decimated." Barako's pitiful elims windup is a far cry from the team that crowded the pre-tourney favorites at the top by going on a 5-1 start.
Comparatively speaking, TNT's 2-3 slate in its last five games is not bad at all. But those losses, capped by an 82-96 defeat to Ginebra at elims end last Sunday, came at a time when Reyes has hoped his team would be priming up for the playoffs.
Main reason for the defending champion's relatively sorry state is the spate of injuries to its key players.
Ryan Reyes, Jared Dillinger and Jimmy Alapag are suiting up but Ranidel de Ocampo and Aaron Aban are likely to sit this one out, not to mention Ali Peek.
Barako won over TNT 100-86 last Oct. 19, when Miller had 27 points and six assists and Dylan Ababou chipped in 20.
Reyes expects them, along with Mick Pennisi, Dorian Pena, Danny Seigle and Dorian Pena, to lead the Energy's charge anew.
"We must find a way to match up with their bigs without Ali and Ranidel while containing Miller and Ababou in the perimeter," said Reyes.
Source: http://www.pba.ph/news/entry/1304
RSS Feed