NOT until PBA scrimmages begin, players wouldn't be able to get their timing going for the restart of the season.
So it's imperative for teams to have a feel of 5-on-five games anew before the Philippine Cup officially returns inside the Clark Bubble in Angeles, Pampanga.
Terra Firma coach Johnedel Cardel appreciates the fact that teams are now back, for the past four weeks, with players working out individually.
But the Dyip and the rest of the field won't really be in game shape until scrimmages are held.
"To be honest, mahirap kasi group practice ang ginagawa natin ngayong mga teams. Kaya hindi mo makuha pa yung timing," said Cardel in the Saturday program The Chasedown.
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"Sabi ko lang sa kanila kailangan we have to work very hard na kahit apat-apat lang yung mga players na hawak namin, nakukuha naman ng mga players yung kundisyon nila."
The PBA has a pending request before the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases) for teams to finally be allowed to do scrimmages.
Cardel hopes it could be as soon as possible.
"Mangyayari talaga yan na wala kayo sa timing," he admitted. "Pero siyempre, dahan-dahan lang. Makukuha rin natin yung timing natin."
But part of getting back into game shape also depends on the players themselves, which the Dyip, according to Cardel, are willing to embrace as they look forward to the season restart.
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"Pagbalik at mabilisan lang itong ligang ito, dedicated naman sila kung ano yung dapat gawin before Oct 9 na makakalaro na kami," said Cardel.
Due to the small window between now and the projected Oct. 9 opener, the league will do away with the holding of tune-up matches. (RG)
