Coach Ricky Dandan bared that the Columbian Dyip’s decision to replace import CJ Aiken after just three games into the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup stemmed from their search of somebody who can defend the interior well.
This, after Aiken had seemingly got the feel of playing in the PBA with a performance of 28 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks in the Dyip’s 123-103 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors last April 28.
“CJ was okay but we needed someone who can defend inside as well,” Dandan shared.
Columbian has fielded in new reinforcement John Bailey Fields III against the Alaska Aces, Friday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. The six-foot-nine American is coming off a stint with Aries Trikalla BC in Greece.
But the Aces made the Dyip feel as if changing imports was a bad idea.
The Milkmen displayed their brand of basketball, outscoring Columbian 42-9 in the second quarter alone that paved the way for a humiliating loss for the Dyip, 103-134, thus sending the latter to its’ second loss in the conference.
Fields though dished out a notable performance despite the defeat, finishing with a game-high 39 points on 70 percent field goal shooting along with 16 rebounds, two assists, and a steal in nearly 39 minutes of playing time.
So for Dandan, Fields wasn’t the problem in the loss.
“After three games, they didn’t show up,” rued the veteran bench strategist, as only two players scored in double figures aside from their new import.
“Ayun lang yun. I don’t know what happened to them, they didn’t show up.”
