De Jesus wary despite F2's winning run

MANILA, Philippines — With a six-game winning streak under its belt, it appears that nothing can stop F2 Logistics from clinching the title of the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix.

 

But Cargo Movers’ head coach Ramil de Jesus begs to disagree.

 

De Jesus, who guided De La Salle University to 10 UAAP crowns, admitted that he is quite concerned with their impressive performance entering a titanic battle against reigning champion Foton on Saturday at the Batangas City Sports Center.

 

He said the “law of averages” might catch them up and send them crashing back to earth.

 

“Medyo nakakatakot yung puro panalo,” said the soft-spoken guru.

 

“Gusto ko sana ay yung manggaling kami sa talo then maka-bounce back. Hindi pa namin nae-experience yun. As much as possible, gusto namin ma-experience yun habang maaga para may time pa para makapag-adjust.”

 

True enough, the Cargo Movers are competing in the season-ending conference like a hot knife to butter.

 

They opened their campaign with a four-set victory over heavyweight Petron before crushing Sta. Lucia Realty, Cocolife, Generika-Ayala and Victoria Sports-UST along the way.

 

Their previous victory — a straight-set conquest of Cignal — turned into a virtual show of force as the furious attacks of imports Kennedy Bryan and Maria Jose Perez, blocking of Aby Marano and Majoy Baron, playmaking of Kim Fajardo and floor defense of Dawn Macandili were in full display.

 

All in all, the Cargo Movers have lost only one set in six games.

 

“Of course, ayaw natin matalo,” de Jesus said.

 

“Pero para makilala mo ang team, para malaman mo ang character nila, kailangan matikman mo ang pagkatalo. Sa ngayon kasi ang nakikita ko lang is yung positive side nila, pero ang negative side hindi pa.”

 

He said he doesn’t want his Cargo Movers to be included among the long list of teams who ended up empty-handed after sweeping the eliminations.

 

“Madaming teams ang okay ang self-confidence kapag nananalo,” he stressed. “Pero kapag natalo na, hindi na alam kung papano babangon. Yun ang ayaw ko mangyari. Sana ngayon pa lang, makita ko na agad na kaya nila bumangon mula sa pagkatalo.”

 

Against Foton, the Cargo Movers will definitely be tested.

 

Imports Sara Klisura and Dragana Perunicnic are two of the league’s most elite scorers while Serbian libero Katarina Vukamanovic can withstand the powerful attacks of her counterparts.

 

Jaja Santiago, of course, remains the Tornadoes’ best player as well as Maika Ortiz, EJ Laure and Ivy Perez.

 

“Sigurado maghahanda ang Foton,” said de Jesus, aware that Foton coach Moro Branislav has been closely studying them in a bid to become the first team to deal their first loss. “Kaya mas doble dapat ang paghahanda namin. Hindi magiging madaling laban ito.”