Raymond Almazan was extremely happy to finally be back on the court and make his debut for Meralco, Friday.
Sidelined for a few months now due to injuries, the lanky 6-foot-8 center suited up for the Bolts for the first time since being traded by Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, when they battled the depleted Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters.
“Sobrang excited ako. Sobrang excited,” said Almazan, who started his first six years in the PBA with Rain or Shine.
Almazan saw action for 12 minutes and 5 seconds, and he produced three points — which all came from the free throw line as he missed both of his shots from the field — along with a rebound, an assist, and a steal against just two turnovers.
And it was a debut worth savoring as the Orangemen won, 101-95, to improve to 3-2 in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup.
Now that his first game with Meralco is in the books, Almazan is looking to be much better. The 29-year-old admitted that he has yet to regain his timing, and that is what he looks to work on as this new chapter of his career progresses.
“Gusto ko lang makatulong sa team, kung ano yung kailngan ni coach Norman [Black]. Sa mga susunod na games sana makuha ko yung timing ko. Medyo late pa reaction,” said the product of the Letran Knights program.
“Pero makukuha ko yun siguro mga ilang games lang, parang pagpag ganon.”
