Joshua Munzon made it clear that he had no personal vendetta after his best game in a NorthPort jersey happened against Terrafirma, Wednesday.
The 2021 top pick faced his ex-team for the first time since being traded for Kevin Ferrer in a straight-up swap last January, and went on to fire 17 points on a 50-percent clip to help the Batang Pier maul the Dyip, 115-100.
It was their first win of the 2023 Governors’ Cup after starting out with six straight losses and that, for the 28-year-old, was the primary goal.
“We definitely wanted to get this win. We’ve been trying to get one for the past six games,” said Munzon moments after the match at the Philsports Arena.
“We haven’t been able to finish but today, we were able to finish. It felt good to finally get that first win,” he added.
“Might have felt a little better because we played against Terrafirma, my old team. But I still love those guys.”
The Fil-Am guard said that he won’t ever hold any grudge whatsoever against his former club, and that he only has nothing but gratitude for them for giving him the opportunity to show that he can compete in Asia’s first pro league.
Munzon played for a total of four conferences for Terrafirma, highlighted by a 2021 Governors’ Cup campaign that saw him average 19.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals after recovering from a hand injury.
“I’m thankful that I was able to be there,” said the 2021 All-Rookie Team member. “They gave me the opportunity from the beginning.
“I had a really good conference back in my rookie year and I’m thankful I was able to show what I can do then. I loved my time there. I’m thankful for my time there. If I hadn’t had that time there, I wouldn’t be where I’m at now.”
What he’s only concerned about is fitting in with NorthPort, where he’s sharing a loaded backcourt led by Robert Bolick and Roi Sumang.
The first six games saw Munzon struggle finding his niche but things do take time, as they say, and Wednesday was proof that he’s headed there.
“We’re getting there. I felt like every game has been another step in the right direction. And today was another step,” he said. “We’re just building and building. Hopefully, I get, you know, back to where I was.”
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