ASEAN Basketball League neophytes Kaohsiung Truth were in dire need of help, having lost their first three games by a margin of 16.0 points per game. Wanting to infuse the team with proven winners, the Taiwanese club team tapped the services of former UAAP and PBA D-League champions Raymar Jose and Achie Iñigo — both products of the esteemed Far Eastern University basketball program.
Though succumbing anew to Alab Pilipinas, 93-87, in the duo’s debut game last Sunday, their American head coach Tryston Lawrence liked the effort and energy Jose and Iñigo displayed.
“I love them both,” he remarked about the two.
Workhorse Jose was the team’s source of energy when he was on the floor, scoring 12 points and grabbing seven rebounds in just 11 minutes of action. However, the 6-foot-4 forward was already assessed his second foul with 19 seconds left in the opening frame and fouled out with five minutes left in the ball game.
“Raymar is a ball of energy but he hurt us when he got into foul trouble,” Lawrence lamented.
“I wish he could have been on the floor more.”
On the other hand, Iñigo, who replaces former ASEAN heritage import Mikee Reyes, played tentatively in his first few minutes of action. He was able to find his footing as the game progressed, finishing with a stat line of 4 points on 2-for-8 shooting from the field to go along with 8 assists.
“Achie is a floor general, he gets us into our offense and I like to see him be a little more aggressive,” Lawrence shared about the 25-year-old point guard. “I like to see his offensive ability a little bit more.
“But then it’ll come once he gets comfortable with us on the floor.”
With 27 days of rest before they face the Saigon Heat, Lawrence is hoping that his reinforcements can familiarize themselves with his system to help turn their fortunes.
“Hopefully, in the next two to three weeks, we have time off and get some time together, we can get to see how good they can be for us in general,” he said.
But beyond familiarizing themselves with the team, this break can hopefully help the two learn the Taiwanese culture.
