Is Mahindra for real?
There’s a new team which is making its presence felt in the PBA Governors Cup. No, it’s not the powerhouse teams from the San Miguel Corp. stable nor the MVP Group.
It’s not even Rain or Shine, which won the Commissioner’s Cup nor Alaska, two of the most consistent team the past two seasons.
It’s Mahindra. Yes, the expansion franchise which entered the PBA last season, which is making waves this conference.
Halfway in the elimination round of the tournament, the Enforcers continued their solid showing, winning five of seven games, good for second spot.
How serious Mahindra is in its title aspirations can be attributed to the team’s latest win against TNT.
The upstart squad dealt the Ka Tropa their only loss so far in the season-ending conference Friday night.
But can the Enforcers hold on for so long? Is the team a serious title contender or just a pretender?
Whatever playing coach Manny Pacquiao has been doing to psych up his team has been working dividends at this stage of the tournament.
There were reports that the eightdivision world champion has been giving his players added bonus on top of what the cages are set to receive as per the Uniform Player’s Contract, making the squad eager to perform and play on top of its game.
Pacquiao, himself, is not settling for less.
With Mahindra already reached its best performance after six conferences, the playing coach and Senator has set a lofty goal for his team.
Now on the verge of making the playoffs for the first time in two seasons, Mahindra wants nothing but a championship and meet the demands of its playing coach to win it at all cost.
This batch of Mahindra players appeared to have the tools to get there.
James White, one of the biggest imports here, has been doing everything to help out his team. He is a strong candidate for the Best Import award.
Veteran players Aldrech Ramos and KG Canaleta are also keeping the forth for the team while guards LA Revilla, Michael Digregorio and Karl Dehesa have been stabilizing the backcourt.
But one of the significant changes we’ve seen with Mahindra is the appointment of Chris Gavina as lead assistant coach.
Most of the time, Gavina, a former conditioning coach, has been calling the shots, especially during the time when Pacquiao isn’t around.
The Fil-American mentor brought his basketball wisdom and the winning mentality now embraced by the once league doormats which is making its way to the top.
Mahindra is now entering the crucial phase of the tournament and by the looks of it, the team is bound to make it to the playoffs where the big dogs will be waiting.
Whether the Enforcers can go the extra mile remains to be seen, but devoted basketball fans would love to see this team coming up with a Cinderella Finish.
Chris Gavina — Fil-American mentor — brought his basketball wisdom and the winning mentality now embraced by the once league doormats which is making its way to the top.