Terrafirma import Justin Strings refused to dwell on another heartbreaking defeat, choosing instead to focus on the positives after the Dyip pushed unbeaten Converge to the limit before falling, 105-103, in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Dyip erased a 16-point deficit late in the game and had two chances to either tie or steal the victory in the closing seconds, but came up just short as Justin Baltazar blocked Aljon Mariano’s layup before Maverick Ahanmisi’s potential game-winning four-pointer missed at the buzzer.
Despite the loss, Strings said Terrafirma proved it could compete with anyone in the league.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s tough,” Strings said. “I kicked it to Mav. I thought it was a really good shot. It was right on the money.”
“It’s tough because two games in a row we’re one possession away from being 3-0. So, on one end, it’s sad because you want to win. But on the other end, we feel good because we’re competing with every team.”
Strings believes the Dyip are only a few adjustments away from turning close defeats into victories.
“We feel like if we clean up a few things, whether it’s turnovers or simple mistakes, we can win these games,” he said.
“So, there’s something for us to build off of, but it definitely gives us motivation for the next game. We’re going to try to come out and compete again.”
Strings once again carried the offensive load for Terrafirma, exploding for 40 points after another high-scoring performance in the previous game.
Still, the American import believes he has yet to fully settle into the PBA and is continuing to develop chemistry with his teammates.
“Maybe. I don’t know,” Strings said when asked if he has already adjusted to the league.
“I feel like I’m still finding my rhythm, finding my groove, and also building chemistry with my teammates.”
While scoring has come naturally, Strings said becoming a complete floor leader remains his priority.
“It’s one thing to come out here and try to score, but it’s also a challenge to get your teammates involved,” he said.
“For me, I’m trying to find that balance of looking for my own offense while also making the right play and finding the open guy.”
“I have to make sure I’m making my teammates better on offense too. Obviously, they brought me in to score, but I want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to get wins. I think we’re moving in the right direction now.”
Converge remained unbeaten behind Justin Arana’s conference-high 31 points, while Juan Gomez de Liaño added 19 as the FiberXers improved to 2-0 despite holding import Jalen Hudson to just two points.
For Terrafirma, however, another narrow defeat offered encouragement that the team is capable of challenging the league’s contenders as it searches for its next breakthrough win. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
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