Why would coach Jojo Lastimosa admit that TNT, the top ranked team, is the underdog versus Brgy. Ginebra in the Govs Cup title showdown?
Is the neophyte head coach expressing a fact or a fear?
What do the fans think?
I would presume both.
Jolas knows just too well that he would be crossing swords against a master tactician who is twice as wise and ingenious.
At least, he is humble enough and meek as a sheep to acknowledge that as far as coaching ability is concerned, he could not match up with Tim Cone, who was his mentor as a player of Alaska many years ago.
Or is it his style of challenging his boys, employing reverse psychology, so that the underdog tag will fire them up like hungry lions in search of their prey?
I don’t know if there is a need for Jolas to make an inspirational speech to his platoon.
TNT is composed of tried and tested warriors who are not scared to meet the stiffest of opposition.
Therefore, Jolas is expressing a personal fear because the acceptable fact is that Brgy. Ginebra will wipe
them out if need be for the Kings to bring home the bacon.
Already, the battle has started even before the jumpball is tossed.
Japhet Aguilar could be back by Game 1, Cone said so after the Kings dismantled the Beermen in three.
Suddenly, we begin to realize that basketball is also a mind game.
Yeah, like chess the coach pushes pawns and minor and major pieces to assault the opponent.
If just one of the five players on the floor does not possess the mindset of a winner, then the chemistry and cohesion necessary to produce teamwork is lost.
Without demeaning any of the coaches, I thought the Gin Kings faced a tougher foe in SMB than TNT colliding against Meralco even if the Bolts extended the sries to four games before eventually surrendering.
TNT is star-studded with the irrepressible (and probable best import awardee) Rondae Hollis Jefferson as its American recruit; Jason Castro, Mikey Williams and RR Pogoy as explosive guards and reliable slotman Poy Erram to boot.
But TNT only needs to focus on ONE or TWO Gin Kings..
Limit Justin Brownlee’s all-around brilliance first. Second, box out and prevent C-Standhardinger from.actively participating in the ballgame.
Let’s face it. Take out JB from Brgy. Ginebra and its offense will die like a flower withering in the dry desert.
If TNT guards can do this and their outside shooting is unhampered, Jolas has a mighty good chance of upsetting his teacher. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
