Game Three last Thursday saw Joshua Smith hurt his foot as his Nike PG1 shoe “exploded”. As a result, he only saw action for 9:28 minutes, finishing with just four markers and seven rebounds in the TNT Katropa’s loss.
Heading into Game Four, and with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel having a chance to even the series at 2-2, Smith’s status, whether or not he could play, was full of doubts — the Katropa even considered replacing him with another import.
“I told the guys at practice yesterday once I found out what happened in my foot, I got two options — it’s either just to go home or try to play one more game with them,” shared the 6-foot-9, 330-pound reinforcement.
Of the two options he had, Smith chose the latter. He suited up for the Katropa on Saturday night, and made up for the limited outing he had back in Game Three, as he made 18 points to help TNT close out the Gin Kings, 120-109.
And now, the Katropa are heading into the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup Finals, setting up a date with the San Miguel Beermen for the title, which they had won last 2015.
“I feel great, man,” proudly said the 25-year-old American moments after their victory at the Cuneta Astrodome.
“I mean, that’s why I came here — to play the season and have a chance to get into the championship.
“I mean, right now its adrenaline and everything,” added Smith, who averaged 18.25 points and 10.25 rebounds in the whole series, on how he played through his injury.
Playing through pain will never be an easy task, and that is why TNT head coach Nash Racela was all praises for the Georgetown Hoya.
“He sacrificed a lot for this game. I know he is hurting,” said the first-year coach. “I don’t know really to what extent, but knowing how important this game is, he decided to play. He said, ‘I was hurting, but it will hurt me more if I don’t play.’
“And that’s the heart of a champion. To that, we are so thankful for Joshua.”
The TNT-San Miguel best-of-seven series will start on Wednesday, June 21, at the Big Dome. Smith has not faced the San Miguel Beermen, as TNT’s import in their last match was Donte Greene, but he assures that he will do what he can to prepare against the league giants.
“San Miguel’s a good team. This is another team I haven’t got a chance to play, but I’m gonna watch the film and prepare for them.”
