Imus Bandera to work on defense after back-to-back setbacks

Imus Bandera in a huddle during their match-up against the Pasay Voyagers

The Imus Bandera-Khaleb Shawarma/GLC fell to 1-2 in their MPBL season after an 82-65 loss to the Pasay Voyagers last Thursday at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.

Pasay opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run, doubling their halftime lead to 49-31 and did not allow Imus to get their rhythm going in the second half, as they could only shoot 37 pecent from the field. The Voyagers also shot better from beyond the arc, making nine triples compared to the Bandera's four.

Buds Reyes shared after the match, "Yung shots nila, we planned for those shots, alam naman naming maganda ititra nila from three points, may game plan naman eh. But I guess sumabog; hindi maganda ang pagkaka-execute. Yung barrage of threes nila, hindi na kami nakabangon from that."

The match saw Mikee Reyes' return to the starting lineup after getting a minor ankle injury, netting a couple of points, as well as rebounds and assists in just under ten and a half minutes of action. He notes that they will work on their chemistry regarding to its defensive schemes in preparation for their future matches,"May schemes naman kami na pina-practice pero hindi pa plantsadong-plantsado. I think at the end of the day, it is about trusting each other na gagawin nila ang role nila each possession. Familiarity with each other na rin yan at the end of the day and committing to the schemes. Especially now, we had seven days to prepare pero hindi namin nagawa."

The UP alumnus adds, "Syempre, a lot of us, first time pa rin magkakakampi. Pero yun ang kagandahan, the process just continues. Medyo masama ang simula namin sa season." He concludes, "Last two games namin have been horrific, but if you will look at this line-up, there's no way that's how this line-up will play or that's how it's going to be for the rest of the season. I'm positive we will find each other and each will find their identity. If anything is positive, hindi talaga basta-basta ang players dito. We definitely could play better individually and as a team."

Mark Doligon led Imus with fourteen points, while James Martinez bucked a nagging left ankle sprain to add twelve points, as well as six rebounds and five assists.

Martinez shares, "Feeling ko relaxed yung start namin noong third quarter. Nag-relax, lumobo ng bente yung lamang, and feeling down na lahat from there. Bagsak na eh. Ako, ginawa ko, kinayod ko, pero talo pa rin. Wala pa ring kwenta. Feeling ko, kaya naman galingan sa depensa and the offense will come. At the end of the day, a loss is a loss pero 27 games pa."

They have a chance to address their skid as they face expansion side Bicol Volcanoes on July 8 at the Cuneta Astrodome. Imus is optimistic that they can be a better and more cohesive unit moving forward.