Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel knows very well that winning in the PBA today entails more than just outscoring opponents.
Since the league suspended the 2021 Philippine Cup last August 3 owing to the rise of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila, Cardel and the Dyip have gone back to the drawing board, taking note of their lackadaisical defense early on. Thus far, they are the worst defensive team in the league after surrendering 95.5 points, dooming them to a 0-4 start.
"We definitely need to play well on defense if we want to finally get our first win because as some coaches would say, offense follows as a team plays good defense," Cardel told ESPN5 just as he and his players left early Monday morning for Angeles City in preparation for the resumption of the All-Filipino Cup.
Terrafirma will be staying at DH Luxury Villa and will have its first scheduled practice in Beverly Place, Mexico, about 30 minutes away. One player not with them, though, is top overall pick Joshua Munzon who had to stay in Manila as he continues to recover from a torn left pinky he suffered last July 30.
Even sans their top gun who is now out for the remainder of the tournament, Cardel isn't losing hope for Terrafirma, which presently shares the bottom of the standings with Blackwater.
"We just need to get that first win the moment we resume the games," stressed the 51-year-old coach. "A lot of teams have two or three losses so we still have a fighting chance for the playoffs."
Cardel said the next two days will be for reviewing their rules on offense and defense, along with doing scrimmages as they try to get their conditioning back.
"We've only been doing Zoom training the past weeks since the games were suspended so now, it would be important for the players to regain their conditioning," he added.
Sophomore forward Roosevelt Adams has been solid so far for the Dyip in averaging 13.5 points and 11.8 rebounds, while veteran big Aldrech Ramos has also normed 12.0 points and 5.3 boards.