May 22, 2018

Dandan: Columbian Dyip needs to shift focus on defense

Columbian Dyip coach Ricky Dandan is hoping to use the All-Star break to hone his team's defensive mindset after another lopsided loss in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.

The Dyip were crushed 126-101 by the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok last Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to head into the week-long respite with plenty to ponder despite a 3-3 record and within track of the franchise's first playoff appearance since the 2016 Governors' Cup.

"I need to be able to shift their mindset to a better defensive mindset," Dandan said. "They must realize, our team must realize, we score our points off our defense. We cannot outshoot anyone in this league without playing defense, without making stops."

The last three games of Columbian have been a rollercoaster, to say the least.

New import John Fields was given a rocky debut despite an impressive showing as the Dyip were pummeled 134-101 by the Alaska Aces last May 4.

Sponsored content:
The Dyip came roaring back almost a week later when they handed the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters their first loss of the conference, 104-96, as Fields got help from the local contingent led by Rashawn McCarthy.

But Columbian struggled again against Magnolia after a disastrous start marred by an anemic offense and a difficult time containing outgoing Hotshots import Vernon Macklin.

"If we don't make stops, ganyan talaga mangyayari," Dandan stressed. "I think at one point we were number one in offense, across the board our team has improved, we're not last placers compared to the first conference, we were last in all aspects, but across the boards there's a really big improvement.

"But then, if we will not improve defensively, going deep into the conference, we will have problems. Mangyayari at mangyayari yan, especially against the tougher teams like Magnolia," he added.

Columbian returns to action on June 1 against TNT KaTropa at the Mall of Asia Arena.