Lastimosa cautions Bataan against upset-minded Marikina
Bataan Risers head coach Jojo Lastimosa reflected on his team’s last three wins – two close ones and one blowout.
Bataan scrapped past Laguna, 77-70, and Muntinlupa, 67-63, after which they ran Mandaluyong off the court, 109-65, to go to 20-2, with three matches to play.
Said Lastimosa, “We’ve had two close games and one blowout. As for the close games, I don’t mind grinding out wins because we learn to defend the endgame and execute our offense. The close games help us handle the pressure better. The blowouts… well… that is good too because you see the system working. You also look to give rest to those who log long minutes and give playing time to others. You also hope the others will step up for the last push.”
Up next is a game against the Marikina Shoemasters at the Marist Gym on February 18. Marikina is at 8-14.
Their record notwithstanding, the Shoemasters have only lost one blowout game all season and that was to Makati, 90-71. All their other 21 games were won or lost in the last three minutes of play. They are 2-4 this 2019. In their two wins, they won by 2.0 points. In their losses, they lost by an average of 4.7 points. They are coming off a 71-69 win against Pasig.
The Shoemasters are coached by Elvis Tolentino and led by former San Sebastian Stag and Marikina native Ryan Costelo, Erwin Sta. Maria, Renato Ular, and Yves Sazon.
“I am not taking anything for granted in our last three matches of the elimination round,” promised Lastimosa. “Every team wants to finish strong regardless where they are in the standings. And it is difficult to play teams that are playing with no pressure.”
“For Bataan, I want to preserve the mindset of winning and developing a killer instinct. That will help us in the coming play-offs.”
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