Though he has a bulky physique, Rain or Shine’s massive import Reggie Johnson held up in his first-ever PBA game.
Johnson was impressive in his debut, powering the Elasto Painters with 32 points and 22 rebounds, past the Alaska Aces, 109-103, in overtime in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup opener on Friday evening.
Friday night was like a teaser of what the 6-foot-10, 290-pound behemoth can bring to the Elasto Painters, and it showed that he will be a force to be reckoned with in the league with his exploits on both ends — especially inside the shaded lane.
However, Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia hopes that Johnson will work on his shape a bit more.
“I think he has to work a little bit on his conditioning since he’s already the import,” said the veteran bench strategist.
Even the hefty Beau Belga echoed Garcia’s sentiments regarding the former Mono Vampire BC World Import in the ASEAN Basketball League, who is now deemed as his new tag team partner in the rebirth of the Extra Rice Duo.
“Improve niya lang yung conditioning, kailangan lang siguro ng hangin pa.
“Kasi pagkaumabot na ng playoffs, sunud-sunod na yung laro eh,” said Belga. “Konti na lang yung pahinga eh. So baka pagdating ng dulo kapusin, ‘di ba?”
Now, with his first PBA game in the books, Johnson looks to follow the advices of the league veterans, so he can better deliver for the Elasto Painters in this conference, which they last ruled in 2016.
“That’s always the goal, as the season goes you continue to lose weight and continue getting the benefits of it,” said the 28-year-old, who hails from North Carolina and played for NCAA D1 school Miami Hurricanes.
But so far, Johnson is fine with his current condition.
“I’m okay. I played 43 minutes tonight so I’m okay.”
