Ken Tuffin felt exhausted after Taranaki’s semis game against Manawatu, Thursday afternoon (Manila time).
Playing 15 games in 36 days — capped by back-to-back knockout games — took a toll on the 23-year-old Fil-Kiwi’s body.
“Playing back to back is tough for anyone.
“Maybe it’s the breaks of the game really. We had a game yesterday, they had a day off. It could’ve gone either way. It’s done now,” shared Tuffin after the Airs suffered a 85-105 loss to the Jets, eliminating them in the 2020 Sal’s NZ-NBL Showdown.
But now, Tuffin has a big decision in front of him.
The 6-foot-4 swingman, who is part of the 23 for 2023 Gilas Cadets, was invited to the Tall Blacks’ pool for both the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the next Commonwealth Games.
This decision will have to wait, though, as Tuffin is laser-focused on one thing — coming back home to Far Eastern University and prepping for UAAP Season 83.
“I’ll get back and prepare my body, get back in some sort of shape and get back to the Philippines and eventually, play in FEU,” he told the SMART Sports 2OT post-game show.
“Whenever they need me there, I’ll play my last year.”
For him, what’s important right now is to finish his degree in FEU. No ifs, buts, or maybes.
“My immediate focus is on FEU right now. I’m just planning on playing my last year, looking to graduate, and let’s see what happens from there.”
