Keith Datu is charging to experience the crucial free throws he missed late in Rain or Shine’s eventual loss to Meralco in their PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup opener on Wednesday night.
The fourth overall pick of the recent Rookie Draft failed to convert both of his charities with 1:41 left to play — a time when his side was amid a comeback after being down by as much as 13 points at the break.
He could’ve sliced the 105-99 deficit to half had he sunk those. The Bolts eventually went away with the 107-102 victory.
“I gotta make those free throws at the end of the game,” Datu told reporters moments after emerging from the dugout of Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The 6-foot-8 big man said that he was surprised to miss those since he went perfect in his trip to the foul line prior.
Datu, with 2:43 remaining in the game, calmly made both of his freebies to bring the Elasto Painters to within just three points, 100-97.
“Just before, I hit two in a row,” he recalled. “I was feeling extra confident. I couldn’t believe I missed the second one.”
(C) PBA Images
Still, it was a solid debut for the former 3×3 standout. He tallied 16 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block in 23 minutes off the bench.
“I feel that I’m trusted as a player,” said Datu, who shot an efficient 6-of-9 from the floor, including 2-of-4 from deep. “It’s my job to perform.”
But it would have been much nicer for him had they won the game — and had he delivered in crunch time by making those free throws.
“Such a clutch moment. Our team really needed those. I sort of feel like I let them down. I’m making sure next time, that doesn’t happen again,” said Datu.
