Hong Kong Eastern during a game against NLEX in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Fatigue has taken its toll on guest team Hong Kong Eastern in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday.
Already assured of a playoff spot, Hong Kong couldn’t muster enough strength to contain an NLEX side desperate for a victory.
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“We got accumulated fatigue. While everybody’s sitting here in Manila and playing just this conference, we’re traveling a lot and it was accumulated,” Eastern coach Mensur Bajramovic admitted after a 94-76 loss to the Road Warriors, who stayed in the hunt for a playoff spot.
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“Of course, it’s not an excuse but we couldn’t move our bodies like we did in the beginning and now we have to find a way to solve that. Obviously, we played without energy.”
Hong Kong ended its elimination round campaign at 7-5.
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Unfortunately for Bajramovic and Company, there will be no rest for the weary with the Commissioner’s Cup playoffs set to tipoff on Tuesday just a day before their scheduled game in the East Asia Super League (EASL).
“We heard we have a game on February 5th in the EASL. In [PBA] playoffs, we’ll play in the fourth. Can you imagine what that means? We’ll play on the fourth here in the night then travel the next day and play on the same day,” Bajramovic said.
READ: PBA: Hong Kong clobbers Terrafirma to wrap up grueling stretch
“I don’t know [how] we’ll manage that,” he added.
But even with a stacked schedule ahead, Bajramovic is keeping the faith and hoping for the best for his Eastern squad.
“Of course, we’re tired but it’s easy to complain. We have to find a way to play despite being tired. We did it during the season but now the fatigue has accumulated so it’s not easy but my players have to understand the situation we have.”
Chris McLaughlin paced Eastern with 18 points on 8-of-19 shooting from the field and 17 rebounds.
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