In the Kia Picanto’s outings against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the Meralco Bolts, import Markieth Cummings was underperforming, looking far from the way he played in his first three games in the 2017 Governor’s Cup.
The six-foot-five American, after averaging notable numbers of 29.3 points and 10.7 rebounds in his first three matches, was limited to just 17.0 markers and 7.0 boards against the Gin Kings and the Bolts.
But despite the slide in his production, the ever-vocal Kia coach Chris Gavina was not fazed, still believing that the former Globalport Batang Pier enforcer is capable of delivering the goods for the struggling franchise.
“As much as I want to say that I’m not happy about his production, I think he’s more than capable of putting up big numbers,” said the youthful mentor after their loss to Meralco last August 6, their sixth straight defeat.
“I think he’s just getting in the way of his own success right now, just over-analyzing things he can’t control.”
And on Sunday night, though the Picanto lost yet again — this time versus Rain or Shine Elasto Painters — Gavina was upbeat about his reinforcement, as he finally saw old flashes of the Cummings he had seen in their first three bouts.
Against the Elasto Painters, the 28-year-old NBA D-League veteran scored 30 points, with 17 coming in the fourth quarter, to give the opposition the legitimate threat of the upset axe. He also collected seven rebounds.
“He was able to find a balance of when he needed to take over. Tonight he had 17 in the fourth quarter. He just didn’t get enough local support. His overall effort tonight was tremendous,” lauded Gavina of the Birmingham, Alabama-native.
“I really wish it resulted to a win, but I think him and our young team are heading into some levels of positivity.”
And as he saw positives with the veteran journeyman, the Filipino-American tactician now hopes that it will rub off on his wards, as the search continues for that elusive victory in the season-ending conference.
“I keep telling them we’ve hit rock bottom, so there’s no other way but up.
“We gotta get to the lows to get to the highs. It’s one of the most used phrases, but that’s the honest truth,” he said.
