Last conference, RR Garcia made his first-ever Finals appearance with the San Miguel Beermen. Though playing just limited minutes, Garcia relished every moment of that run.
A conference later, he made sure to be an integral part in the TNT Katropa’s Finals-clinching win Saturday night.
Jayson Castro was the star of Game Four. But, back-up RR Garcia’s performance is hard to ignore, producing quality minutes that helped Castro’s cause.
Head coach Nash Racela subbed Castro and Garcia at times, and the three-year pro from the Far Eastern University did not waste the opportunity given to him. He finished with 16 points on 13 shots, alongside five boards, and five dimes.
“Malaking bagay rin para kay kuya Jayson para hindi siya mapagod pati makapag-pahinga siya ng maayos,” said Garcia of the way he played, after the match. “Siyempre ‘pag sinuwerte din ako, minsan sabay kami.
“Yun lang yung ginagawa samin ni coach Nash kaya malaking bagay din para sa amin.”
Even the first-year pro coach liked what he saw from his two floor generals, as Castro and Garcia played with each other seamlessly.
“I think both Jayson and RR are both learning to play with each other, whether together on the court or the other guy’s sitting down,” lauded Racela.
“Ang maganda is that they complement each other. You saw it today.”
Now that TNT are heading into the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup Finals, the 27-year-old feels blessed for his second Finals appearance in his career, and that he will have the chance to play against his former team — the San Miguel Beermen.
“Blessing sa akin ‘yun na ganun nga, pangalawang Finals ko ngayon. Siguro nung last, nasa San Miguel ako na Finals, parang isang game lang ata ako nakapaglaro eh. Pero siguro ngayon, present ako since start ng Game One.
“Excited ako ngayon siyempre kasi talagang makakalaro ako, makakatulong ako sa team. Enjoy lang,” said the proud son of Zamboanga City.
