As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

by **Ginebra Tambayan** Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:56 pm

As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Amid the guessing game, import Leon Rodgers has vowed to fight on, saying the constant scrutiny and pressure he is facing "comes with the territory" as he plays for a Ginebra team which he described as the "(New York) Yankees of the Philippines." Jerome Ascano

UNDER-FIRE Barangay Ginebra import Leon Rodgers remained defiant and focused on the things he can control as names of rumored replacements started to float in the wake of the team's back-to-back losses in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.

The former Northern Illinois standout has averaged impressive numbers of 31 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in his first three games in the league, but his woeful shooting and inability to lead Ginebra to victory against San Miguel Beer and San Mig have sparked calls for an import change.

Already, team insiders bared Ginebra is looking at a list of options although he was quick to point out that no concrete decision has been made.

Amid the guessing game, Rodgers has vowed to fight on, saying the constant scrutiny and pressure he is facing "comes with the territory" as he plays for the popular Gin Kings who he described as the "(New York) Yankees of the Philippines."

“It comes with the territory of playing with a high-profile team like this," said Rodgers. "I can’t really think about that stuff, I gotta go out and give my best effort every game.”

To listen to complete interview with Leon Rodgers, click here.

The three-time MVP of the Dutch league said fans have only seen a little of what he can do.

“I think, the fans saw a little bit of what I can do. I just got to keep getting better. It’s Ginebra and we want wins. I want wins, too. I came here to win a championship. That’s my goal,” he added.

Still, Rodgers said he is prepared for any eventuality, that is why he is "playing each game as if it is his last."

“It comes with the territory. If a team is losing like what Ginebra is going through now, you expect it. This is the Yankees of the Philippines,” he said while shrugging his shoulders. “It’s the Philippines, you got to make sure that you get the desired results as hard as you can.”

“Somebody has to take the blame. So what I have to do is keep working and keep my teammates going and they get better, I get better, the team gets better,” he said.

Rodgers said he can't afford to worry about things he can't control, like the news over his impending exit.

“I can’t worry about that. I just gotta keep doing my job!”

So what is the problem with a star studded Ginebra team?

“I don’t know, they’re my teammates. You will never hear me put the blame on them. I am trying my best, they are trying their best,” he said after Ginebra's 90-80 loss to San Mig.

Meanwhile, Ginebra star wingman Chris Ellis doesn’t want to put the blame on their import, instead urging his fellow locals to wake up and help out on offense.

“Unfortunately, it’s him that’s being blamed. The man, he does work. He’s a smart player, he’s a veteran. Leon is a great player. He can score, he can pass,” said Ellis.

“I think we (locals) just have to be more confident. We’re relying too much on him. Everybody just have to be a threat,” added the second-year player.

Another Ginebra star player who asked not to be named also came to Rodgers' defense, saying: ‘It’s only him who’s scoring, so what should we expect."

Source: Spin.ph

by **MR. FAST** Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:58 pm

Kulang na kulang sa local support kunsabagay, hindi mo naman maintindihan kung sino ba talaga ang HEAD COACH sa Ginebra at anong sistema meron sila. yung IDENTITY ng team hindi mo rin alam, imposibleng defensive team, olats nga tayo dyan, offensive team?! INCONSISTENT naman yung mga scorer naten, RUN N GUN? lagi naman natatalo sa FAST BREAK PTS!

by garrett_jax Mon Mar 17, 2014 5:09 pm

ang ganda ng laro ng import ....... bulok lang ang coaching staff ......... walang will to win .........

by **betterhalf** Mon Mar 17, 2014 5:53 pm

dapat magising ang management hindi ang mga players..

hindi tuloy alam ng fans kong may NSD pabang natitira sa mga puso ng players naten.

kahit ako aaminin ko na tinatamad na ako manood ng game kahit sa tv lang kahit na libre lang..

by eazynutz Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:00 pm

hindi marunong ang coach kung paano gamitin ng tama ang import... sa locals lalo na sa twin towers they need to move there ass sa rebound... ano silbi ng height kung aanga anga lang.... sila!!! ika nga hindi marunong MANGGULANG sa ILALIM

by garrett_jax Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:05 pm

pero naniniwala pa rin ako sa team natin na babalik sila sa pagiging NSD, di ko lang alam kung kailan.............. hehehehe

by **betterhalf** Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:07 pm

pag nag champion siguro dun ko lang masasabi na bumalik na pagiging NSD nila.

sirang %#%$& na ung laro nila..

by garrett_jax Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:10 pm

si idolMC47 nga parang nahihilo na, dahil bagong sistema na naman ....... at nawala na sa rotation si jayjay ......... hhhhaaaayyyyzzztttt

by **betterhalf** Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:12 pm

marunong nman siguro sila mag coach kaso may mga boss lang tlga na hadlang.. si non nga nakikita ko nanonood ng laro ng san miguel beer hahaha..

by garrett_jax Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:18 pm

xia lang ata sa ginebra bench ang nakangiti, habang talo ang ginebra ........... hehehe

by neljimz Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:19 pm

magaling import natin pero hindi sya Fit sa team...at the same tym malabong systema ang tumatakbo...kahapon nasa penalty na ang san mig coffee ayaw nila atakehin sa loob...puro tira sa labas...

by ampogi Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:11 pm

lets blame it on the coaching.....not the present crop of coaches but to the on-going coach movement, hindi na malaman ng players kung kaninong game plan/strategy ang gagamitin (kung may game plan man); nalilito na sila kaya walang focus, maski ang fans lito na rin; paano ba yan.....wake up Mr. Non or baka naman ang spelling ng surname mo ay NONE!, wala lang....

by raqui2101 Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:54 pm

ewan ko nman sa management ng smb corp. kada conference iba-iba ang coach ng team nila ung sanpig lang ang di nila magalaw kasi takot sila kay cone, pero ung 3 pa nilang team na ginebra smb (petron) at barako (patagong team ng smb corp) papalit palit ng coach... haizzzz

by neljimz Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:34 am

ngaun kinoconsider nila si GABE FREEMAN at DARNELL JACKSON,pamalit kay RODGERS...

by **betterhalf** Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:07 am

iconseder din kaya nila na magpalit ng magaling na coach

by garrett_jax Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:09 am

betterhalf wrote:iconseder din kaya nila na magpalit ng magaling na coach

bring back jawo o jong uichico? ........... heheheh

by ampogi Tue Mar 18, 2014 8:23 pm

so its Rodgers, to die with him...but change the composition of the coaching staff, bring in Jaworski, and his assistants Allan Caidic as shooting coach, defense and rebound coach si Philip Cezar/Yoyoy Villamin, and Sauler as tagamasid ng ibang team...(hindi ko alam kung ano tawag dun sa English,ehehehe)..

by wnc19 Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:02 pm

overseer

As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last 1073867494

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As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

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Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last

Re: As names of rumored replacements float, Ginebra import Leon Rodgers vows to play each game as if it's his last