Cariaso, Bossing on playoffs mode

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:30 p.m. – Blackwater vs Converge 7:30 p.m. – Meralco vs NLEX

With back-to-back reversals over heavyweights Meralco and TNT, Blackwater is definitely off to one of its strongest starts ever.

The challenge henceforth for the co-leading Bossing is how to sustain and follow this all the way through in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.

To give themselves a good shot at succeeding, coach Jeff Cariaso exhorted everyone to always be on “playoffs mode.”

“Every game for us, the approach is like it’s a playoff game. We know the intensity, focus and energy is different when it’s in the playoffs. It’s a level up so the task of the staff to the players is to level up,” said Cariaso.

“That’s just where we are. We’re a young team, we’re still getting to know each other and we have to figure out ways to win while you’re figuring out your team.”

It’s imperative for the Bossing, 96-93 victors over the Bolts and 87-76 conquerors of the Tropang Giga, to maintain this approach especially when ranged against a very hungry opponent in Converge today.

The FiberXers are eager to get traction in the 4:30 p.m. encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum after losing a pair of heartbreakers to Terrafirma, 99-107, and NorthPort, 112-104 (overtime).

“We are not taking them lightly. We can’t afford to do that. So feeling ko, it’s going to be a good game. They will be hungry to win so kailangan maging ready kami. Hindi kami pwedeng maging complacent,” said Cariaso, whose team can grab the solo lead if successful against Converge.

Meanwhile, Meralco (1-1) and NLEX (11) clash at 7:30 p.m. to dispute win No. 2.

The Bolts are out for a follow-up to their pull-around 121-117 extra-time verdict over ROS last Saturday while the Road Warriors are bent on a rebound from their 95-99 defeat to Terrafirma last Sunday.