Jaworski rues Gin Kings' lack of focus in lopsided Game 4 setback

MANILA, Philippines — One could easily deduce from Ginebra legend Robert Jaworski’s tone that he was not pleased not only with the result of the game on Thursday night, but also with the defensive play of the Gin Kings.

Ginebra was simply out of sync on the offensive end under the watchful eyes of the beloved cager and a partisan crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“Well, look, they're shooting threes, you are not even defending. What will happen ‘di ba?” Jaworski offered shortly after the game.  

“They're picking apples — ‘yung mga tumitira ng threes. They got to work their butts out,” he continued.

Jaworski, revered as the greatest player to ever represent the franchise, was joined by his teammate-turned-rival Ramon Fernandez, whose repertoire includes four Most Valuable Player citations.

“Ngayon lang ulit ako nanood ng live. I always watched on the television but there were times when I wasn't able to watch,” Jaworski shared. “Today, they weren't playing. They weren't playing. Their focus was not there. I don't know why. Walang focus eh.”

Even the players are aware that their living inspiration was clearly disappointed over their performance. Japeth Aguilar said he was sure of it. Head coach Tim Cone feels like the Jaworski was irked by the lead halfway through the game.

But Jaworski is no stranger to this: the rut, the stakes, the uphill climb that await the players. He has played in one, too, turning the tide against Shell and Leo Austria to come back from a 3-1 series deficit. 

And so are the Gin Kings. They know how to deal with this, right? The club’s rallying cry is not “Never Say Die” for nothing, correct?

But if you ask Jaworski, the mantra is not something you print on banners, on shirts. Neither it is something you scream from the bottom of your lungs.

“Hindi sinasabi ‘yon eh. Ginagawa,” he declared. 

“I want to say that they are tired. I want [to believe] that [for them] to get back in the series. But they got to do more than what they did tonight,” he added.

“They have a hard journey … this time it isn't easy, they're playing San Miguel. They have to put a lot of effort and desire together,” Jaworski closed.

Ginebra will try to never say die on Saturday when they face San Miguel at the Cuneta Astrodome this Saturday.