GINEBRA needs to roll with the punches.
With former MVP Scottie Thompson still sidelined due to a nagging back injury, the Kings absorbed a stunning 85-91 loss to the Terrafirma Dyip last Sunday night in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Assistant coach Richard Del Rosario, who spoke in lieu of coach Tim Cone, admitted the prolonged absence of the do-it-all Thompson is taking its toll on Ginebra.
“When Scottie’s out we just don’t make up for points. We make up for points, rebounds, assists, and defense,” Del Rosario said. “Hindi iyon kaya ng isang player. Special player si Scottie, alam naman natin iyon.
“Kailangan lang pagtulungan. We don’t put much pressure on one particular guy. We have to figure it out as a team kung paano kami with Scottie’s absence,” he added.
The setback to the usually moribund Dyip dropped the Kings to 3-3 in the season-ending tilt, counting a sorry 92-95 defeat to the defending champion San Miguel Beermen four nights back.
The 6-foot-1 Thompson has not seen action in the import-less tourney–Ginebra will patiently wait for him to get fully healthy.
“We’re waiting for him to get healthy. Ayaw naman namin siyang i-rush because he’s very important–his career is very important,” Del Rosario said. “He will play when he’s ready.”
Against Terrafirma, a visibly distraught Cone handed the coaching duties to Del Rosario nearly in the second half.
The deputy tactician surprisingly benched star center Christian Standhardinger in the fourth quarter and opted to field a Japeth Aguilar and Sidney Onwubere frontline.
“Christian was scoring, but iyong mga guys na pinasok namin, they made the run. So, we stayed with those guys. Nothing against Christian, we just stayed with those guys,” Del Rosario said. “Hindi lang naman si Christian iyong hindi na naglaro, even Stanley.
“When you get lifts from guys off the bench, you have to reward them also. Magnada iyong ipinakita nila so we stuck with those guys sa stretch na iyon.”
Standhardinger scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Aguilar finished with 18 and five.
Onwubere barely had a double-double of nine markers and 12 boards.
The crowd darlings certainly have their work cut out for them, according to Del Rosario.
“We have to figure things out,” he said. “We need to address this before our next game (against Blackwater) on Friday.”
