Survival of fittest: PH Cup semis has become a game of attrition
Published Jul 6, 2025 11:08 am
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Updated Jul 6, 2025 01:30 pm
At A Glance
- Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone and Rain or Shine mentor Yeng Guiao shared the same sentiments as teams take bold risks to cope up with the lack of manpower in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
Both Scottie Thompson and June Mar Fajardo are playing through injuries (PBA Images)
It's simply the survival of the fittest at this point.
Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone and Rain or Shine mentor Yeng Guiao shared the same sentiments as teams take bold risks to cope up with the lack of manpower in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
While teams have been banged up with the grind of the tight schedule on top of the players already nursing injuries, the two champion coaches agreed that it was just how the playoff goes.
“Actually, it’s always this way every time. When you get to this stage, it becomes a game of attrition,” said Guiao, whose team has gotten some kind of break when injuries seemingly slowed down its semis opponent TNT.
“Matira matibay. Kaya when you have a longer rotation, it’s an advantage. You have a deeper bench, it’s an advantage. Talagang minsan, may magbe-breakdown. Kasama na talaga lahat ‘yun, he added.
ROS pounced on the depleted TNT which is missing the services of Rey Nambatac and Jayson Castro – the Finals MVPs of their last two championships – as well as high-scoring gunner RR Pogoy.
The Tropa are also missing veteran Kelly Williams due to an ankle injury and both Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading are also playing through ankle and back injuries, respectively.
ROS, however, isn't playing unscathed too with Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti and Beau Belga out of commission while Andrei Caracut is nursing a hand injury.
“Everybody is hurt. It's the time of the conference and probably the year. We have three conferences and it's the third conference,” echoed Cone as both SMB and Ginebra also deal with injuries to key players in their own semis series.
San Miguel has June Mar Fajardo also playing despite a calf injury while Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson is managing a hurting hamstring.
“They're fighting through it, Just like San Miguel. San Miguel is fighting through it too. I'm sure TNT is fighting through it and Rain or Shine (as well). That is just part of the game at this point we cannot use that as an excuse,” added Cone.
At this point, teams which can make use of its bench will have the edge according to Guiao.
Puwedeng mag-breakdown ‘yung players mo pero iba pa rin kapag key players mo ang nagbe-breakdown. But we prepare for these situations. That’s why you try to keep everybody ready to play. Kapag ganitong panahon, doon na nakakatulong ‘yung ganung klaseng preparasyon.