Agustin sees Ginebra a better team next season

DESPITE an early exit early in the PBA Governors Cup playoffs, Ginebra coach Ato Agustin is optimistic the Kings will be a much better team come the league’s 2013-14 season.

A last-minute replacement for Alfrancis Chua prior to the season-ending tournament, Agustin admitted the Kings just couldn’t keep up with a solid and healthy Petron side that proved too much for them, 101-94, putting an abrupt end to their season.

“Kinapos lang, pero at least `yun nakapasok kami sa quarterfinals,” he said.

“Then down by 25 pero nag  one point na lang, kapos lang talaga tayo sa tao,” added the Ginebra coach, citing the absence of high-leaping big man Japeth Aguilar and Kerby Raymundo, and just during the game against Petron the freak accident suffered by Mark Caguioa, as factors that hastened the team’s downfall in the playoffs.

But Agustin said he’s proud of the way his boys fought all throughout the conference, despite the fact they played without a legitimate post threat for a big part of the tournament.

“Malaking difference talaga when you lose Mark Caguioa. Tapos, wala ka na ngang Japeth, wala pa si Kerby sa timing.”

“But I’m looking forward sa next season. Nagustuhan ko lang ang pag-pressure namin sa third quarter. Kaya naman pala nila gawin, so yun na ang aim namin sa next season,” he added.

The soft-spoken Ginebra mentor said the team will just take a week off, before returning to practice on Oct. 7 as the Kings intend to prepare early for the Philippine Cup that starts on November 17.