Agustin plans to make Ginebra press more next season

MANILA, Philippines – Despite failing to advance deeper in the playoffs, Brgy. Ginebra coach Ato Agustin saw a silver lining especially in the torrid third quarter run that had the Kings coming back from as many as 25 points down.

“Sinabi ko sa kanila na kung ganun yung gagawin namin like the way we played in the third quarter, makikita niyo baka manguna kami sa standings pagdating ng All Filipino. Maganda yung depensang pinakita namin,” Agustin said. “Yung pressure defense.”

Agustin put in a three-guard combination with LA Tenorio, Jayjay Helterbrand and Josh Urbiztondo on the floor at the same time and worked wonders for the Kings’ run-and-gun game.

“Nag-click yun. Ako, gusto ko talaga pressure defense eh. Kaya naman pala nilang gawin,” said Agustin, who vowed to implement that type of game next season.  

Caguioa agreed with Agustin’s idea even vouching for Josh Urbiztondo to get more playing time.

“You need three guards to apply that type of pressure defense. I like playing with Josh [too]. He plays hard. You just give this guy minutes and kita mo naman the past couple of games. Kung pagod si LA or me or the other guards, just put him in. He gives us a lot of energy at yun ang pinakaimportante,” Caguioa spoke highly of Urbiztondo.

Healthy frontline

Agustin gave the Kings only one week break before returning to training camp for the All Filipino Cup that is set to tip off mid-November.

He is hoping to have a healthy frontline with Aguilar and Raymundo on track to recovery while he’s still waiting for developments on Caguioa’s latest injury.

“Kung one month, makakabalik kaagad that will be better for us,” said Agustin referring to Caguioa. “Definitely, Japeth will come back, hindi naman siya nabugbog during our knockout game. Siguro fully healed na siya at si Kerby magiging okay na rin.

The Kings are planning to strengthen the no. 4 spot and will likely look in the talent-rich Rookie Draft with their pick (acquired from Air21) projected to be in the top three owing to the Express’ poor record this season.

But Chua said they will meet again for their game plan in the coming Rookie Draft that will be headlined by top amateurs Greg Slaughter, Bobby Ray Parks, Ian Sanggalang and Kevin Alas among others.  

“Wala pa [plano] sa draft. Pagmi-meeting-an pa namin,” Chua said.