Being relieved from his World Import duties by Tanduay Alab Pilipinas may have made him confused, but Reggie Okosa strongly feels that he was able to make the most out of his four-game stint in the ASEAN Basketball League.
“I feel like I did everything the right way,” said the long-time global journeyman, as he spoke to Tiebreaker Times Wednesday afternoon.
“Even if [there were] some things I don’t like, I stay positive and try my best.”
The unfortunate news of his sudden release from the sophomore Filipino club team was broken by Spin.ph Wednesday morning. And Okosa himself confirmed such to Tiebreaker Times, admitting that he was suprised by it.
“It’s sad man.
“I’m really confused and a little off balance about it,” shared Okosa, who might be spending Christmas and his birthday on December 29 without any team to play for. “But I have to be a professional and just continue to work.”
Okosa though bared the reason behind Tanduay Alab’s decision, saying that the team management informed him that they would want to search for a player who can produce more consistently from the perimeter.
“They told me they needed more perimeter scoring,” said the 6-foot-10 reinforcement. “Our perimeter players now can’t score well consistently.
“So even though I’m the best player on the team statistically, I’m the one to go.”
The 36-year-old was the most consistent cog for Tanduay Alab, averaging 24.0 points on a 59 percent clip along with 13.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks in four games.
Even with the situation he was given, the Delaware-native said that his time with Alab, and in the country, was a time well spent.
“I really liked my time here [and] with the team,” said Okosa, a former PBA import with the now-defunct Barako Bull Energy franchise back in 2012. “I think they are making a mistake but I understand why they chose me.
“I’m the new guy to the country. [So maybe] It’s easier to choose the new guy.”
His departure from Tanduay Alab may have come in an inopportune time, but this does not mean the end of Okosa’s journey. For him, he is keeping his door open if ever another ABL club team would want to hire his services.
“If there’s a chance I will. I’m going to stay around.”
