It’s hard to say whether they’re serious about it or just playing mind games. But whatever, Purefoods Chunkee must press the right buttons today or it would be all over but the coronation night for Red Bull.
Two-zero up and all pumped up, the Bulls seek to move on the threshold of their first championship in four years as they clash with the embattled Giants in Game Three of their San Mig Coffee PBA Fiesta Cup best-of-seven title playoff at the Astrodome.
It has been all Red Bull show thus far and the pressure is mounting on the Giants who have thrown many things at the Bulls without success.
"We’re not fixing anything because there’s nothing to fix. If there’s any change in our game in Game Three, it’s because we need to do the adjustment in the game itself," said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao.
Making it two in a row Friday, Guiao has become more convinced they’re enjoying a big advantage over the Giants on mental toughness more than the skills.
"That’s one thing they can’t get instantly and that’s what we call the Red Bull mentality. We don’t have superstars from the other teams. All we’ve got are sort of homegrown talents whom we develop and nurture ourselves. We hone up not just their skills but also mentality," said Guiao.
Gregorio has no objection with that. He said. "At this time, we really can compete with their level of competence and confidence and we have to pull rabbits off our hats."
Like before Game Two, Gregorio is confident he can make things work to stop Red Bull.
"I feel like a rookie coach all over again. Though I’m on my second finals, I was made to pay my dues in the first two games of this series. In the third game, I will make it sure we’ll make the right adjustments," said Gregorio.
"As I’ve told the boys, it can be done. We’re learning the ropes the hard way. I hope the learning is enough," Gregorio added.
Purefoods has done the tough feat of fighting back from a 0-2 deficit in winning its last PBA title in the 2002 Governors Cup. But the question is whether this batch of young Purefoods players can rewrite history done by a special bunch that included do-it-all import Derrick Brown and inspiring leaders Alvin Patrimonio and Ronnie Magsanoc.
And can Purefoods do it against a raging Red Bull squad which seems to have the tools, character and determination to go all out to win the coveted championship?
The Bulls have so much depth that coach Guiao can shuffle all his players and still get his desired result.
"We’re using our bench and the bench is delivering for us. We’re not leaning heavily on our import. The other team needs Chandler to be playing for almost 48 minutes. Kapag inilabas na siya, nagbabago ang chemistry nila," said Guiao.
Gregorio said his concern is how to get his team sustaining a solid game from start to finish.
"We can’t play good basketball for only 36 minutes. We have to play great till the end of the game," said Gregorio whose Giants were outmaneuvered in overtime in Game One and outplayed in the final 14 minutes in Game Two.