Playoff time means all business for teams and players, even if it means setting aside health woes
TNT Katropa import Joshua Smith caught a classic case of the flu Monday. But despite feeling under the weather, the 6-foot-9 banger still decided to suit up in Game One of their best-of-three quarterfinal affair against Meralco Bolts.
“I got a flu,” said the Seattle, Washington native, who debuted last May 28 in TNT’s final game of the eliminations against Rain or Shine, becoming the team’s fourth import in the mid-season conference.
“I wasn’t 100 percent today.”
As a result, head coach Nash Racela decided to play Smith off the bench. The reinforcement was not at a hundred percent, but he was able to finish with 19 markers on 8-of-9 shooting to help TNT take a 1-0 series lead, 102-84.
“I wasn’t going to let my teammates go out there by themselves. I tried to do whatever I can to help,” shared the 25-year-old Georgetown Hoyas product.
“There’s no excuses. You play even if you’re 100 percent or not.”
Racela though wanted to start Smith but decided not to at the last minute with the gamble paying off.
” We were planning on starting him, of course, but we adjusted before the adjustments, and I think today, it worked for us,” the first-year TNT mentor shared.
Smith also had the chance to square up with Meralco import Alex Stepheson, his fellow wide-bodied giant who stands at 6-foot-9 and weighs 249 pounds. As it turned out, both cagers have already crossed paths before.
“Me and Alex go back in high school,” shared Smith.
“I go against a lot guys who are smaller but quicker than me, and here it’s good because I can match-up with the guys who are like my size.”
The Katropa are now holding a 1-0 advantage in the series, and Smith vows to help his side finish the Bolts once and for all this Wednesday, June 7, to book a slot in the semifinals.
“They brought me in to be aggressive and try to help the team win, and as long as I’m able when I go out there, I’m gonna be aggressive.
“And whether its scoring, passing, or rebounding, I’ll do it to help the team win,” Smith said.
