It was unfortunate that Lester Prosper received a rude welcome in his first PBA game, Sunday evening.
The 6-foot-10 import had himself a commendable performance with 26 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks, and an assist. Unfortunately, his efforts were not enough, as his Columbian Dyip bowed to the Magnolia Hotshots, 103-110.
“They’re obviously a championship team,” Prosper said. “They played together. We gotta do a better job of communication and playing together.
“My debut is cool, but I wanted the win, and obviously, we didn’t get that.”
Prosper — whom guard Rashawn McCarthy suggested, as they both came from the same college — arrived in the Philippines back in June 4. Despite the short time he has spent with his new teammates, he already likes them.
“I love my team, I love my teammates,” said the 30-year-old slotman, who has played professionally in Mexico, Canada, Slovakia, and Venezuela. “We just gotta get better. That’s all it is.
“We just gotta continue to get better.”
Prosper is the Dyip’s replacement for Kyle Barone, whom they sent home after four games. But the nine-year journeyman is not looking to be a temporary reinforcement — he’s looking to be with the team for the long haul.
“I’m in this for the long run. I’m not here to just come for a day or two and leave,” Prosper expressed. “I understand it’s a process, we gotta trust our process. These are young guys, and I’m gonna help them develop.
“I gotta continue to do what I gotta do and develop also. And we have to continue to build chemistry also. I think it’s gonna go well.”
