“The challenge to continue rising is dependent on the effort that we will render,” said Gregorio on the eve of his Bolts’ collision with Rain or Shine 5:15 p.m. Friday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The winner assumes solo second-running s
pot and moves closer to a top four placing that carries with it a twice-to-beat advantage in the ensuing quarterfinals.
That is why Gregorio can’t emphasize enough the need for his charges to continue exerting extra effort, the way they did in back-to-back wins against “quality teams” Talk N Text and Alaska.
“(It is) clear in our minds that with great effort the reward is greater,” said Gregorio. “Coming off two straight wins against quality teams our mindset remains the same. Outwork, outhustle and clamp down on defense if we are to win against another quality team.”
Indeed in their recent run, the Bolts scored an average of 93 points. But, more important for Gregorio, their opponents were limited to just 83 points.
“Defense has been solid for us,” noted Gregorio. “We might be inferior in talent pound-for- pound due to a lack of healthy players, but somehow our players have bought the concept that with solid team defense it can be done.”
Making the stops is a must against a Rain or Shine team that is well rested and has had enough time to savor a 109-95 win over Air21 last Saturday.
The win snapped the defending champion Elasto Painters out of a two-game skid and got them back in the race for that coveted top four slot.
Gregorio said it will be a matter of who’s got grittier resolve.
“With four games left in the elimination round nothing less than a gargantuan playoff tenacity is required,” he stated. (NC)
Source: http://pba.inquirer.net/30117/raising-the-stakes
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