Three games into the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup, import James White has shown that he’s a key cog for the Phoenix Fuel Masters campaign. So much so that he has helped the team go 2-1.
In their 89-87 victory over the Magnolia Hotshots Sunday evening, White tallied 19 points and 17 rebounds, elevating his per-game averages to 27.3 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
But despite his impressive contributions, Phoenix head coach Louie Alas still wants more from the 23-year-old.
“Yung superiority niya on offense dapat ilabas niya pa,” said Alas. “Kasi ang mindset ni James is… Ang role lang niya is to protect the rim. I told him na hindi pupuwede ‘yon. He has to score also.
“Kanina nga nakita niyo parang indecisive pa sila. But sabi ko you’re good, but you can be better.”
It’s easy to understand where Alas is coming from. Across three games, White has converted 55 percent of his field goals, but most of his shots came near the rim.
“Kailangan lang maging accurate lang yung mga medium (range shots) niya,” added Alas. “Everybody is expecting him to drive. ‘Pag ‘di siya maka-shoot sa labas, magkaka-problema.”
For White, however, defense will always be his main focus, since it is the main reason he was brought over to Phoenix. And in terms of offense, the third-year import says that it will come.
“He (Alas) said my main emphasis should be on defense and I want to give my 100 percent on that,” said the 6-foot-8 White, who is currently averaging 2.67 blocks and 2.0 steals per game as well.
“The offensive end is gonna come, but I think for me, to help this team win is being a big part of our defensive end.”
