Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia was quite impressed with how Kwame Alexander delivered on Wednesday.
After four years away from the PBA, the import made a statement on his return. His performance helped the Elasto Painters repel Blackwater, 99-82, to snap their four-game slide in the 2019 Governors’ Cup.
Alexander finished with 17 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block.
“With the new import that we have, he gave us what we needed,” said Garcia.
“He came out well.”
Garcia especially liked how Alexander helped Rain or Shine improve its ball movement, something the team has lacked with their first two imports this conference.
Alexander previously played for the NLEX Road Warriors in 2015. He is the Elasto Painters’ third import this conference after Joel Wright and Kayel Locke, whom he replaced.
“Nakikita niyo naman siguro dati na our guards weren’t able to score. But now the rotation’s better, the ball movement’s a lot better,” said Garcia, whose side dished out 22 assists.
“They needed somebody who will communicate, somebody who brings energy, and I was the right fit,” said the 28-year-old Alexander, on the other hand.
“It all worked out.”
Despite the six-year Californian pro’s commendable outing in his debut, Garcia said that he still has a lot more to offer. “I know he can still show more,” said the veteran bench strategist.
“I did okay [but] I feel I could do better,” seconded Alexander, who’s coming off a stint in Chile.
But more than anything, Garcia hopes that Alexander will be healthy for their match versus Ginebra on Saturday. The latter tweaked his ankle during the second half after trying to block a shot.
Every game is now important for the 2-5 Rain or Shine as it looks to better its chances for the quarterfinals.
“He tweaked his ankle in the third quarter, that’s why he slowed down. I hope he gets healthy by Saturday because we’re playing Ginebra.”
