The grind of the PBA is taking its toll on the Tony Mitchell.
Many were expecting the 24-year-old to rekindle the fire within him — a fire that had been extinguished in the Star Hotshots’ losses against the Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beermen — in their game versus Blackwater on Saturday.
But it was to no avail, unfortunately.
Mitchell still managed to put up 17 markers and 15 rebounds in the Hotshots’ victory over the slumping Elite, but despite the stats he posted, the athletic 6-foot-8 forward was still far from his usual self.
The numbers were still there, but the huge problem that keeps hounding the former NBA cager is managing fouls. He fouled out of the game for the second straight time, but thankfully, Star already had the win wrapped up.
Star are indeed missing the intense, relentless Mitchell that had aided them to a 4-0 start in the import-laden conference. Due to his struggles, however, he has only normed 20.3 points and 11.7 rebounds in the last three games.
Most of all, Mitchell has averaged an eye-popping 5.7 fouls in his last three outings.
And this leaves Star head coach Chito Victolero dissatisfied with the way his reinforcement has been playing as of late.
“Honestly, hindi pa rin,” admitted Victolero.
“Kasi na-foul trouble na naman siya at fouled out na naman. Yun lang ang kailangang mai-adjust ni Tony — how to play defense na di nya kailangan ma-foul.”
The All-Star Week is upon the league, and Victolero aims to use the long break to sit down with Mitchell and discuss with him all the things needed to be addressed.
“Yung break na ‘to, I will show him the tapes para mapanood nya kung paano siya napa-foul kasi kailangan namin siya sa game,” he shared.
And aside from the planned player-coach session between them, Victolero and his staff will also utilize the week-long break to talk things over and re-assess the future of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin native with the Hotshots.
“Right now, all the teams in the PBA, ito yung time na ia-assess namin yung imports namin kung kailangan namin sila to stay or what,” said Victolero. “‘Di lang kami, even the other teams, yan ang gagawin nila. Kung ano ang best para sa team.
“Kung tingin namin na si Tony yung makakapagdala sa amin sa playoffs, we will stay. Pero kung tingin namin kailangan namin ito, gagawin namin yun. I’m always positive.
“Si Tony kailangan nya lang mag-adjust, pero ia-assess namin sya during the break,” said Victolero.
But for the meantime, the first-year head coach does not want to make anything certain.
“As of now, ayoko muna mag-isip. Gusto ko muna mapahinga kasi pagod din. Tingan natin,” he confessed.
