Big fighting heart did it for Hotdogs

Now it can be told: No less than three key Purefoods players played hurt in their knockout game versus Coca-Cola Thursday at the Philsport Arena.

Kelvin Price and Alvin Patrimonio both suffered an ankle injury and Ronnie Magsanoc a bruised thigh.

But the Hotdogs, on sheer guts, bucked the injuries to the three players in that do-or-die showdown, and interim Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio now believes those injuries won’t bother the team as they go for the championship versus the Alaska Aces.

Gregorio called on his injured players to just take shooting drills in their practice yesterday at the Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong.

Today, Price, Patrimonio and Magsanoc are likely to join their teammates only walking through their set plays.

"Kelvin, Alvin and Ronnie had played through with their injuries. This is the finals, so the more we need their presence. I think the injuries will no longer bother us," said Gregorio.

"Fighting spirit is keeping us alive, Kung sakali siguro iyon din ang magbibi-gay sa amin ng championship," he added.

PBA watchers are pointing to Purefoods as the heavy favorites in the best-of-seven title playoff which starts tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum. But Gregorio doesn’t think so.

"It’s too close to call. I think the imports will cancel each other out. Sa locals, we may have the advantage man for man pero tatabla ang Alaska because of the system they have long been playing," said Gregorio.

"Alaska has a rich winning tradition. They’ve been in the finals for a number of times already. Kami, as I’ve said, fighting spirit lang ang nagdadala," he added.

But the youthful mentor said he loves their chance for the Governors Cup crown.

"Pwede na talagang pag-ambisyon iyan dahil nandito na kami, we might as well go flat-out to win the championship," said Gregorio, who’s now just four wins away from matching a feat achieved by four other coaches with the Purefoods ballclub.

For the records, Babay Dalupan, Ely Capacio, Chot Reyes and Eric Altamirano all won a PBA championship right in their first tournament with the Hotdogs.

"Kaya nga pagkatapos ng tournaments na ito, sisipain na namin si Ryan. Tapos kukunin na lang namin uli, para first conference niya uli sa amin," said Purefoods team manager Rene Pardo in jest.