Certainly, this wasn’t the script Flying V Coach Eric Altamirano had in mind. The thing is, the Centro Escolar University Scorpions wanted a different ending to the plot.
So what many thought would be an easy and quick semifinal showdown between a top-seeded powerhouse team and a sixth seed and school-based squad has suddenly turned into a suspense-thriller of a series.
And it’s hard to tell how this matchup would end.
The only thing sure is that the Scorpions wouldn’t go away quietly. They made that clear last Tuesday by dispatching the Thunder, 93-72, in Game Two to force a deciding Game Three in the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League Foundation Cup.
Game Three is set at 4 p.m. at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
It was the first defeat by the Thunder in 12 games, effectively spoiling their bid to rule the conference without losing a game.
“I think the pressure is now on their side [Flying V]. Nobody expected us to be here. But we made it, so I guess it’s not a bad idea at all if we try to make it all the way [to the finals],” CEU Coach Yong Garcia said after their stunning victory in Game Two.
With their finals bid under serious threat, Altamirano urged his troops to play with urgency today.
“We have to regroup and play better in Game Three. We’re playing a very tough and very cohesive team so we have to match their energy,” Altamirano said.
Thursday’s winner will face finalist-in-waiting Cignal in a best-of-three championship starting on Tuesday.
As the Thunder desperately struggle in Game Two, Altamirano and his assistants would occasionally huddle and silently analyze the game from their seats. Apparently, they found no answer to prevent their defeat.
Self-proclaimed experts contend that Flying V’s high-energy, high-octane game took its toll on the Thunder, who appeared tired and out of sync in Game Two. Flying V forward Gab Banal sees it differently.
“I thought it has to do with our approach. We’re kind of relaxed in Game Two. But things will be difference in Game Three,” Banal said.
The Thunder shot a woeful 31 percent (23 of 75) in Game Two. But it was their inability to contain CEU center Rodrigue Ebondo that hurt them the most. Ebondo, who was no stranger to playoff basketball, scored a game-high 18 points and grabbed 26 rebounds, as the Scorpions clobbered the Thunder off the boards, 54-39.
Garcia knows Altamirano and the Thunder will be armed to the teeth on Thursday but declared they will be ready.
“We’re expecting nothing but an all-out war. But we’ll give them good fight,” he promised.
Six of the seven Filipino campaigners are shown above. From left are Mary Angeline Alcantara, Lex Joshua Provido, Raphael Ongkiko, Richard Jude Cajulis, Mico Gabriel Chua, Gerianne Kendall Therese Pineda and Arianne Espida.