Allen Durham admitted that it felt weird for him to not play in the Finals of the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup.
No one can blame him for feeling that way. In the 2016 and 2017 editions of the season-ending meet, Durham and Meralco vied for the title, though they lost to the Justin Brownlee-led Barangay Ginebra on both occasions.
The Bolts tried to reach the Finals for the third straight time last year, only to bow to the Alaska Aces in the semifinals.
But this 2019, they have atoned for that missed trip. The Orangemen downed KJ McDaniels and the TNT KaTropa, 89-78, in the deciding Game Five of their semis series, Monday night at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Durham — who was also the Bolts’ reinforcement in their last two Finals appearances — truly feels great.
“It definitely feels good to be back,” said the American cager, who nearly had a triple-double in the victory with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
“It was kinda weird last year not being there, but I’m happy that we’re back.”
The Bolts will once again face the Gin Kings in the best-of-seven championship series that starts January 8. And Durham looks forward to it immensely, since he sees it as a battle between two well-matched squads.
“I think they’re a better match-up for us compared to TNT. They got shooters all over, and now I think we’ll be able to use [Raymond] Almazan a little bit more because they’re a bigger team. I think we match up pretty good. I’m excited.”
Regarding match-ups, there is, of course, his highly-anticipated rematch with Brownlee.
“It’s going to be fun,” the former two-time Best Import said.
“As a competitor you always want to play against the best. He’s showed that he’s one of the best imports in the PBA year after year. It’s definitely going to be a battle.”
