March 7, 2016
The Blackwater Elite continue to make waves in the conference, beating a depleted Globalport side, 115-103, on Sunday to improve to 3-3 in the team standings.
In the main game, the Star Hotshots ended their misery after a 96-88 win over Tropang TNT. The Hotshots came back from 18 points down to seal the win.
Here are news and tidbits on last night’s games in this Monday edition of the PBA Pass-Through.
Ababou shines in rare break
TNT wing man Dylan Ababou was given good minutes Sunday night, with Ryan Reyes (flu-like symptoms) not feeling well. Ababou was inserted in the first half and made impact quickly, scoring nine points.
He finished with 11 points overall — his most productive outing of the season so far — and added two rebounds and three assists in 23:44 of play. He was a plus-14 and made all of his five free throw attempts.
Ababou spoke about the break after the game, saying it had been a great confidence-booster for the wing
“Sobrang thankful ako na binigyan ako ng opportunity makalaro ulit. Last conference sobrang konti lang (ng nilaro ko), ngayon unti-unting nag-iimprove. Happy ako, nakukuha ko yung confidence ko, yung timing, yung rhythm. Kumbaga na-break na yung ice,” he said.
“Kinausap ako ni coach kahapon na be ready, kumbaga he wants quality minutes from us. Yun ang mindset namin, kailangan magdeliver talaga.”
Romeo hurts calf, has check-up scheduled on Tuesday
Photo courtesy of PBA Images
Terrence Romeo suffered a sore right calf during Globalport’s match against Blackwater. He did not start in the second half, and received treatment in the Batang Pier dugout before eventually returning to the floor.
Romeo struggled, however, finishing with just 15 points on 6-for-15 shooting while committing six turnovers. After the game, Romeo was still limping as he made his way out of the venue, and said he will have a check-up scheduled for Tuesday to determine the extent of his injury.
Ratliffe impresses Webb in Star debut
Photo courtesy of PBA Images
The Star Hotshots debuted one-time Jones Cup MVP Ricardo Ratliffe against Tropang TNT, and the import impressed after tallying 23 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists.
Star head coach Jason Webb says Ratliffe “gives (Star) a dimension that is very different” and also praised his defense.
“He is a post-up guy. He makes his money there at the post. He runs, I thought people won’t notice this but on the defensive end he blew up a lot of ball screens because of his ability to stay in front of his guy,” Webb said.
Ratliffe said after the game he only had had one practice session with Star, and the team had focused on defensive schemes and about two to three plays on offense.
“It was pretty good. I didn’t play my best but I will get better. I have to be used to a different style of play. It will take a little while but I’ll be good,” Ratliffe said.
The import is wary of his role in the squad, and does not mind if he will be kept for good, given Denzel Bowles may still be an option for the Hotshots.
“I am just going to do my job. Whatever they need me (to do). If they need me to go tomorrow, I will be ready to go home tomorrow,” he said.
