Shawn Taggart poured 45 points in his last game for the Globalport Batang Pier, helping the team exit the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on a good note as they defeated the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 125-118.
And although the Batang Pier finished with only a 3-8 record in the conference, Taggart said just being in the league makes him feel thankful for the opportunity.
It turned he had been dreaming of playing in the country for quite a while now, although teams did not take notice until Globalport signed him for this tournament.
“Some leagues I’ve played in, maybe they were looking down on them. I don’t average high numbers so maybe they didn’t think it would translate. But as you can see, it translated,” Taggart said.
After Friday night, he’s hoping the stint he has had in the PBA would draw the attention of more people.
“I am happy I got this opportunity. I’ve been trying to go out here the last three or four years now. Hopefully I open a lot of eyes right here and hopefully I can return.”
Taggart was brought in when the Batang Pier was already 2-4 in the team standings. With injuries to key players like Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo, the team asked Taggart to just fight with them until the end, and the 31-year-old import had no complaints.
“They told their best players are hurt and they might be able to come back before I leave. I just wanted to come here and play hard, leave it all out and give it to these guys,” he said.
“I am glad I had the opportunity to play with him and all the other guys too. To watch them, the younger guys, at the practice, they work hard, they do shooting and dribbling drills, that is good for the league. It is good to be around guys that want to be better.”
Taggart added he is headed home after the Globalport stint, and will focus on working out as he waits for the next playing opportunity.
“I will just go home but still hit the ground when I get there. I hope to get a phone call soon and get an opportunity to play somewhere.”
