Jordan Murphy showed how comfortable he’s grown with Ginebra after a strong PBA debut, helping power their masterful conquest of Rain or Shine to resume their Season 50 Governors’ Cup campaign on Friday.
The 29-year-old committed no turnovers and registered 30 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and four blocks. It was an impressive display of versatility that should be good news for a team hoping to address its import woes.
“It feels like I’ve been here a lot longer than two weeks,” he told reporters moments after their 129-111 win at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“They’ve been really good at integrating me into the team, and making me feel very welcome.”
A pro since 2019, the former Minnesota Gopher was brought in a few weeks before the conference’s resumption as a replacement for Riley Grigsby, with Justin Brownlee’s status still very uncertain due to his leg injuries.
Fans and observers had doubts about how well he’d adjust to Coach Tim Cone’s system, but Murphy put those to rest after his showing on Friday, which let the Kings hike their record to 3-4 in Group B.
(C) PBA Images
And to think that he had zero experience playing the triangle prior to taking his act to the Barangay. It should speak volumes not only to the way the crowd darlings assimilate their new guys, but to Murphy’s adaptability — and talent — as well.
The Texas-born forward remains in the process of mastering the vaunted system, though. But he’s thankful to be learning, specifically from lead floor general RJ Abarrientos, whom he’s also trying to forge an on-court tandem with.
“It’s been quite an adjustment,” he admitted. “I’ve never ran the triangle before, so just learning the reads and learning to play off my teammates, especially RJ, who’s a really good point guard.
“I’m just making sure I can read and play off of him the right way and make the right reads has been a challenge, though he’s really good at communicating with me and making sure that it’s more seamless.”
And in their first game together, the two wrote beautiful music. The Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup BPC finished with 34 points, spiked by a 6-of-11 clip from three, on top of three rebounds and nine of the team’s 34 assists.
It’s no doubt a promising start for Murphy and Ginebra, as the win enabled the traditional contenders to barge into the Top Four of Group B with a 3-4 record. But none of them feels satisfied with just a single victory.
They now have their sights on Sunday’s Manila Clasico affair versus Magnolia, a rivalry which the former NBA G League campaigner is now learning about — though for him, it’s just another game to win.
“They said that’s a really big rivalry game,” he offered. “Obviously for me, it’s a little different; I’m just trying to collect as many wins for these guys as possible, and help these guys get to where they want to get to.
“Whether it’s Magnolia or another team, it’s just another game that we have to go out there and get the dub.”
