By the time this photo was taken, the El Tigre were not yet done with their team meeting after yet another tough loss. Ivan Saldajeno |
By Ivan Saldajeno
BIÑAN--It was already past midnight of Thursday.
Laguna already left the place following a huge home win against Mandaluyong in the MPBL Datu Cup almost an hour and a half--or a night--ago.
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But the housekeeping staff of the Alonte Sports Arena still awaited the El Tigre to come out of their dugout before they can finally clean up the room and close the venue.
The now struggling squad remained in its locker room for a lengthy period just as it suffered its fifth straight defeat which dragged it down to the .500 mark following a hot 6-1 start.
Just before the clock struck one, the Mandaluyong players and staff began departing the venue.
Asked by Dugout Philippines what took them that long before leaving, Coach Japs Cuan said, "After this loss, nag-usap-usap yung team... just to sort out what's really going on with the team. Naglabas yung mga sama ng loob."
With the players finally airing out their concerns during what would now be considered as a team meeting, Cuan said that they took note of them.
"Positive naman yung result," he continued.
With that said, Cuan, who took over the head coaching job from his older brother Mac, hopes that the long huddle will strengthen the bond of his team especially that Ray-Ray Parks and JR Alabanza will be out due to their commitment with Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League.
"Hopefully, pagbalik namin ng practice, tuluy-tuloy ulit. Back to the winning ways kami," Cuan continued. "I believe we can bounce back. It's not the end of the race. Matagal pa. We will be fine."
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