Reden Celda is fitting in just fine with his new team.
The seasoned guard has no problems whatsoever with adjusting to Phoenix Super LPG, who acquired his services last May after being traded by NLEX together with former Gilas draftee Tzaddy Rangel in exchange for Ben Adamos.
“OK naman,” he said. “Kasi si Coach Jamike [Jarin], magaling e. On and off the court. So mabilis din ‘yung adjustment ko sa mga teammate ko, mababait pa.
“Sina RJ [Jazul], sina RR [Garcia], tinuturuan ako lalong-lalo na sa depensa, ‘yung tinatakbo nila. Sa offense din. Mabilis naman adjustment. At the end of the day, parehas lang naman basketball. Since bata pa naglalaro na tayo.”
Celda has played for four games now with the Fuel Masters in the On Tour. That included Friday night’s meeting against Terrafirma, which could best prove how well he has been adapting to his new team.
The National University product finished with a team-high 19 points, including 10 in the first half, to help his side ward off the erstwhile-streaking Dyip, 104-92, to snap their three-game losing skid in the preseason tournament.
It was his best showing yet in a Phoenix uniform and he did as much against his old team, although Celda said that it was only a mere coincidence.
“Grateful pa rin naman ako sa Terrafirma kasi ilang taon din ako roon. Kumbaga, sila nagbukas sa akin ng pinto sa PBA,” said the eighth overall pick of NLEX in the 2016 PBA Draft, who spent his first five years in the league with the Dyip.
“So, wala naman. Goal lang namin is to win the game. ‘Yun nangyari ngayon.”
Also in his mind in facing Terrafirma, added Celda, was, of course, learning and applying at the same time Phoenix’s scheme of things.
(C) PBA Images
“Tsaka inaano ko ‘yung sistema nila, sa bagong team ko ngayon. Offensively, defensively. ‘Yun ang … nilalagay ko sa utak ko,” he said.
The only thing that Celda may take some time to get used to, though, is being one of the veterans to a team laden with youth.
At 31, the Davao native is already among the oldest players in Phoenix’s On Tor team aside from RJ Jazul (37), RR Garcia (33), and Raul Soyud (32).
“Kung wala si RJ tsaka si RR, ako na ata pinakamatanda e. Mga bata na lahat,” said Celda with a smile. “Parang ‘di ko pa nga makita sarili ko e [as a senior] … Pero kung sa years, six years na rin, beterano na rin.”
Surely, he’ll be embracing it soon.
