Pasig City MCW Sports is making sure to pick up valuable lessons despite falling to Caloocan in the quarterfinals of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League playoffs.

Although team owner Buddy Encarrnado rued his team’s second half collapse that led to the 68-60 defeat in the deciding Game 3, he hopes that the playoff experience can toughen up his wards for the future seasons.

“Experience is something that cannot be had in one conference most especially mga promising players. They may be promising but it's more on the promise than anything else,” said Encarnado.

“Kung nagluluto ka importante siguro makuha mo ‘yung tamang timpla, perhaps siguro medyo masarap na pero ika nga di pa pang handa so that’s how I want to look at it,” he added.

Riding the momentum of its Game 2 win, Pasig looked to be in total control in the first half of the contest before the team succumbed to pressure and the roaring Caloocan crowd.

It also didn’t help that captain and regular season leading scorer Ryan Costelo was thrown out in the third frame, leaving backcourt partner Robbie Manalang as the lone offensive threat Caloocan had to worry about.

“My only regret is we did not finish it the way we wanted to. Pressure really told the story I was telling the team, losing is part of the game but losing my team captain in the third quarter is the telling one,” rued the long-time basketball patron.

“I told them that perhaps I have not done enough to ensure them that in this kind of playoffs the key here is composure. The key here is being able to handle the pressure,” he added.

Pasig, however, is refusing to sulk over the failed series comeback.

“Tomorrow is another day. Persistence has always been a part of me and my team wherever I go. We fell short today but that’s only for today,” he added.