Newly-traded players usually take time to internalize their new team’s system and principles. That has not been the case for newly-acquired TNT Katropa RR Garcia, however, as adjustment woes were of no concern for him going into his first game with his new team.
The four-year pro had been shipped by the San Miguel Beermen to TNT in exchange for Matt-Ganuelas Rosser last April 24. And it turned out to be a reunion, as Garcia met back up with his former coach from the Far Eastern University, Nash Racela.
And the familiarity between the Garcia and Racela was evident in the Katropa’s stunning 112-103 victory over the Beermen. Garcia logged in almost 24 minutes, finishing with 12 points on six shots, two rebounds, and three assists against his former team.
“Naging coach ko naman si coach Nash eh, college pa. Sinasabihan niya lang ako na diskarte lang — yun yung ginawa ko nung college nung naabutan ko siya,” shared the 27-year-old point guard moments after his debut.
“Alam ko naman yung sistema ni coach, kung ano dapat gawin ko.”
However, Garcia admitted that he had been surprised to learn that he had finished with 12 markers — his conference-high, as he only played in one game with San Miguel this conference. But then, he was quick to deflect credit to Racela for giving him the confidence to play his game.
“Gulat din ako. Siyempre, first game ko ‘to sa bagong team ko. Kumpiyansa lang din na binibigay sa akin ni coach, nandoon,” said Garcia, who has career norms of 7.1 points.
Garcia’s role in his new home won’t be as easy as it seems, though. Now that TNT are missing the services of Jayson Castro, RR Pogoy, and Troy Rosario due to their Gilas Pilipinas duties, he is expected to fill in the void left especially by Castro.
But for the former King Tamaraw, it will not be just about him. The four-year league veteran believes that the Katropa will still be all about playing as a unit, especially in their last three games down the road.
“Yung scoring, siyempre mabigat yung role na iniwan sa’kin, lalo na wala si Jayson, si Pogoy, si Rosario,” admitted Garcia.
“Pero ‘di lang naman ako yung magpapanalo dyan, siyempre as a team.”
