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Despite woeful record, coach starting to feel upbeat of KIA's chances

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/08/07/080717-gavina.jpg"/><figcaption>KIA coach Chris Gavina. Richard Esguerra, <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/photos" target="_blank">ABS-CBN Sports</a></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – KIA Picanto remains mired at the bottom of the league standings in the 2017 PBA Governors&#x27; Cup, after losing their fifth game in a row on Sunday night – a 97-112 setback to the unbeaten Meralco Bolts.It was another disappointing result for the Picanto, who actually led early in the first quarter, only to see their second group fail to keep up with the rampaging Bolts.&quot;I put accountability on the guys who came in and didn&#x27;t maintain what our starters were able to start for us,&quot; KIA coach Chris Gavina said after the contest. &quot;It&#x27;s frustrating. I don&#x27;t really know what to say about being ready coming off the bench.&quot;Yet compared to their August 2 contest, when it took the KIA team over two hours to exit the dugout after a huge loss to Barangay Ginebra, Gavina was in a better mood this time around.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2017/08/06/durham-s-triple-double-gives-meralco-solo-first-29435">READ: Durham&#x27;s triple-double gives Meralco solo first</a></li></ul>&quot;Honestly, compared to the last game, I can&#x27;t say anything about our guys&#x27; effort,&quot; he said.There were still several things that Gavina took issue with. He was not too pleased with their offensive execution, and he felt that the KIA players look &quot;scared of making mistakes&quot; and being blamed for the loss. The coach lamented how their good performance in practices does not translate into the actual game. Yet Gavina believes that he has reason to be hopeful.&quot;I think some guys are starting to get their confidence,&quot; said the coach, citing young guard Reden Celda for example.Celda led the KIA locals in scoring with 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, while adding three rebounds and four assists. &quot;He&#x27;s probably our most dynamic player right now, and I&#x27;ll be able to figure out how to build off his contributions,&quot; Gavina said of Celda.&quot;Josan Nimes is coming around,&quot; he also said, after the former Mapua University guard scored eight points in just 15 minutes of playing time against Meralco.&quot;In every struggle, there is an opportunity, and guys will be able to find that opportunity and showcase it moving forward,&quot; Gavina added confidently.Adding to the young coach&#x27;s optimism is that KIA&#x27;s schedule becomes considerably friendlier once they return to action next Sunday. The Picanto&#x27;s next three games are against Rain or Shine, GlobalPort, Blackwater, and Alaska, who have a combined win-loss record of 3-11.&quot;These next three games, I feel we&#x27;re more than capable of winning,&quot; Gavina said. &quot;Rain or Shine, I think, won&#x27;t have (Raymond) Almazan and (Gabe) Norwood next week, so that gives us a better opportunity to try to get that first win, and hopefully, that turns our season around.&quot;In the meantime, Gavina wants the KIA players to use the week-long break to forget about their current 0-5 record and then return with a better mindset.&quot;I told the guys, &#x27;Look, we&#x27;ll take two days off, clear your heads, and get back to just enjoying what we&#x27;re doing out there&#x27;,&quot; Gavina said. &quot;I&#x27;m not even putting too much pressure on them.&quot;KIA will play Rain or Shine on August 13.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/" target="_blank">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>

KIA Picanto remains mired at the bottom of the league standings in the 2017 PBA Governors' Cup, after losing their fifth game in a row on Sunday night – a 97-112 setback to the unbeaten Meralco Bolts.

KIA Picanto remains mired at the bottom of the league standings in the 2017 PBA Governors' Cup, after losing their fifth game in a row on Sunday night – a 97-112 setback to the unbeaten Meralco Bolts.

Despite woeful record, coach starting to feel upbeat of KIA's chances

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Despite woeful record, coach starting to feel upbeat of KIA's chances

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 07, 2017 10:07 PM PHT

Read More:

PBA

PBA Governors' Cup

KIA Picanto

Chris Gavina

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