I just got back from our big game a while ago. But before the game started, we were informed that we got a free pass to the semis because San Miguel had lost yesterday to Accenture, thus ending their chance on getting a semifinal slot.
Since the game with Unilab earlier had no bearing whatsoever. Some players on both teams had little motivation. Play lacked the usual tension that's normally present in games. I had a different plan in mind. With the competitive juices in me flowing, I thought it was the best chance to surprise Unilab and go all out for the kill. Though it was non-bearing, ending the regular season with a win would definitely boost our morale heading to the knockout phase next week.
We started out strong, grabbing an early double-digit lead in the first half. Unilab was able to stage a comeback and closed out the half with a long buzzer-beater from beyond the arc. We led 35-32 at the half. It was close for much of the third canto. We were having a shootout and the lead kept changing favor. The third quarter ended with Unilab having the upper hand with a 3-point lead.
The fourth quarter was a different story. We were able to hang with them for the first few minutes, as the game was neck-and-neck. They pulled away toward the middle of the quarter by hitting shots from everywhere. We lost steam and we couldn't hit ours. They ran away with fastbreak plays and they sank their freethrows as we were on a fouling-spree strategy.
The final score will not reflect the kind of game we played. It was a much closely fought game than that. Too bad we couldn't make the plays when it counted the most.
We've lost two games already to a short and undermanned Unilab squad. I'm actually puzzled how we weren't able to pull this one out. The semifinal knockout phase starts next week and we will be facing the same Unilab team again, for the third time this season.
They've got our number so far. I hope we can turn things around and knock them out of the playoffs this Saturday. Now that would be sweet revenge.
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