Denzel Bowles returned for a third PBA trip and what a way to come back into play for Purefoods- a matchup against Barangay Ginebra.
Purefoods coach Tim Cone said Bowles has always been his first choice, but the team had to wait for his availability. The controversial incident that led to Daniel Orton’s departure from the squad proved to be a blessing in disguise, which made way for the return of the one-time Best Import who also led his team, Purefoods (formerly known as B-Meg) to a championship during the Commissioner’s Cup three years ago.
Barely 48 hours after landing from his native home Virginia following a long stint in China, Bowles had to adjust to the weather conditions in the Philippines.
“It’s summer time in the Philippines and he’s coming from places where the condition is freezing cold. He’s coming off a stint in China where the weather is really freezing cold. Then he went back to the US where the condition is similar,” said Cone. “That’s the only thing I’m worried about.”
Bowles was measured 6-foot-8 and 13/16 on Saturday, making him eligible to play against the Gin Kings.
Prior to his 4 p.m. measurement, Cone made sure they already processed the documents needed to allow Bowles to suit up in their 5:15 p.m. encounter at the Araneta Coliseum.
“We’re coming in for the Ginebra game with no expectations. Nothing,” said Cone. “We just want to come out there and hopefully we can make some noise and maybe we can steal a win, but get prepared for the rest of the conference.”
“We had a walkthrough with Denzel and it wasn’t easy. He was still sleepy. He was 28 hours on the plane then we had to walkthrough with him because he has never ran a triangle the past three years. He’s been committing mistakes so we have to teach him fast,” added Cone.
