PBA: Cardel believes current Terrafirma squad the strongest he ever handled

Following Terrafirma‘s rare 91-85 stunner against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday, Dyip head coach Johndel Cardel believes that his current squad is the strongest one he ever handled.

The victory allowed Terrafirma to climb to solo fourth (4-3) and inch closer to what could be just their second quarterfinals appearance since joining the league in 2014.

“Ito ‘yung pinakakumpleto kasi malalaki with Isaac (Go) and Ken (Cariño) and of course our veterans Aldrech Ramos, Javi (Gomez de Liaño), and Drei Cahilig and the big addition, si (Stephen) Holt. He’s a leader and he can score tapos si Juami (Tiongson) is consistent.”

[This is the most complete because Isaac and Ken have size and of course, our veterans Aldrech Ramos, Javi, and Drei Cahilig and the big additon is Holt. He’s a leader and he can score and Juami is consistent.]

Cardel, who has been calling the shots since 2018, said he now has a more competitive roster at his disposal as they look to replicate their best finish in franchise history.

Tiongson is Terrafirma’s top gunner and the league’s third best scorer behind Robert Bolick and Arvin Tolentino, posting 21.86 points in seven games on top of 5.57 rebounds, 3.71 assists, and 0.86 steals while rookie Holt follows suit with 20.17 markers, 4.67 boards, and 2.33 swats to lead all freshmen.

Gomez de Liaño and Go provide the offensive support with combined 24.15 points and 11 rebounds while young guns Louie Sangalang and Cariño also chip in with 7.29 and 5.40 points, respectively.

But Cardel said the job can only get done when everybody on the bench is able to contribute.

“We need everybody na tumulong pa rin. Hindi pa ‘to ‘yung makakapasok sa quarterfinals so we have four more games and tomorrow we practice and big game again on Wednesday versus San Miguel,” he said.

[We need everybody to help out. This is not the game that will bring us to the quarterfinals so we have four more games and tomorrow we practice and big game again on Wendesday versus San Miguel.]

Gomez de Liaño echoed Cardel, saying they still have to work doubly hard in their next four assignments which will include a clash against defending champion San Miguel on Wednesday.

“I guess at the moment we can’t relax even though na four wins na kami, we know that we should get two more to be safe so for the next games, we’re gonna treat those one game at a time,” the sophomore forward said. 

[I guess at the moment we can’t relax even though we have four wins now, we know that we should get two more to be safe so for the next games, we’re gonna treat those one game at a time.]

—JMB, GMA Integrated News