The Kings, now a beleaguered lot with a 0-2 deficit, face the San Miguel Beermen in Game Three of their best-of-seven showdown for the PBA All-Filipino championship at 7:15 at the Philsports Arena tonight.
Caidic faces a must-win situation versus former teammate Jong Uichico with the Gin Kings teetering on the spectre of falling on a deep hole no team has ever got out.
"I admit we’re now in deep trouble. We need to stop them today or it’s all over for us," said Caidic.
Caidic isn’t giving up the fight but thinks his Kings have to play with clinical precision if they were to beat the Beermen.
"We can’t afford to give the Beermen little openings. Lamang na sila sa matchup, so we have to handle the ball well and shoot it well to beat them. The Beermen are so organized, you give them little openings and you’re dead," he said.
Then there's the question of maturity with the Beermen bred in the rigors of many a championship while the Gin Kings are into their first title series for the first time in four years and tend to lose composure at crunch time.
"Wala akong masabi sa efforts na ibinibigay ng mga players ko. Tignan ninyo naman, talagang pukpok ng husto. Ang problema, kapag medyo lumayo ang San Miguel, nagmamadaling humabol, lalo tuloy napapasama. Nawawala ang pasensya," said Caidic.
In Game Two, the Kings hastened their own downfall when they succumbed to pressure, allowing the Beermen to make crucial runs on the way to an 89-72 rout.
The Kings have lost all of their eight games in the conference when they allowed their rivals to score by more than 80. The Beermen, meanwhile, have won all of their 12 games in the conference when scoring at least 80 points in a game.
Coaches of both teams agree the third game of the series is crucial because the Beermen will practically wrap up the All-Filipino crown with a third straight victory or the Kings will wheel back into contention if they solve their puzzle in San Miguel.