ANTIPOLO — Joshua Munzon is choosing to control what he can after facing the team he has long been linked with when Titan Ultra took on TNT in a battle between Group A teams in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Wednesday.
The star winger would rather not stress himself whatsoever over matters that are out of his hands, simply opting to play ball every given opportunity—just like what he did to help the Giant Risers finally break through in the conference.
“It’s just another basketball game,” he told members of the press moments after their 103-87 stunner of the defending champions at the Ynares Center here.
“At the end of the day, I get paid to play basketball… just another game, being professional and just going out there and handling business.”
Munzon, 31, was among those who made the headlines before the season-ending tilt as he was reportedly headed to the Tropang 5G in exchange for fellow guard Rey Nambatac in the aftermath of another runner-up finish.
It could be recalled that the flagship MVP Group franchise lost hold of the Commissioner’s Cup throne after bowing to Ginebra in seven, and it didn’t help that Nambatac himself had a downer of a campaign the whole tourney.
(C) PBA Images
For his part, the former ABL star’s contract had already expired, further fueling speculation that a trade between the two teams was imminent.
But ultimately, no deal was consummated when TNT turned down Titan Ultra’s request to add big man Henry Galinato to the mix, according to reports.
As a result, Munzon’s old pact was auto-extended until the end of the season, with super agent Danny Espiritu announcing as much via social media.
That’s why the former No. 1 overall selection only has his sights set on playing and playing alone for his team, and let things take care of themselves.
“The business side is not my job, just the basketball side. I just gotta take care of the basketball side,” the 10-year pro out of Cal State LA said.
That’s exactly what he did on Wednesday, submitting 13 points, three rebounds, and two blocks to help the Giant Risers break through after an 0-3 start.
In fact, it was their first win since the last Commissioner’s Cup—they ended the said conference with seven straight losses, and came into the TNT bout in the midst of a 10-game slide, including 30-point losses in their last two outings.
That’s why Munzon and the rest of the crew could only heave a sigh of relief as they finally got the monkey off their backs after a long, excruciating wait.
“It was embarrassing, but at the same time, we’re gonna use it as fuel for this game to go out there and fight, and get us the W,” said the Season 49 Most Improved Player.
“It feels good for us to finally get off the hump and get a win.”
