FIL-AMERICAN guard Joshua Munzon gave a good account of himself in his first game in the Philippines for the Saigon Heat in the Asean Basketball League (ABL).
The pony-tailed guard finished with 20 points and four steals in the Heat's 77-99 defeat to Alab Pilipinas in the game played before a jampacked crowd at the Olivarez College Gym.
But the loss could hardly dampen Munzon's excitement over a game where he impressed with his defense while wowing the crowd with dunks and outside shots.
"It was real cool," said Munzon. "The atmosphere was crazy and the fans were great. It was amazing. Even though we lost, I enjoyed myself out there.
"First time here, I just want to go out and contribute."
[See Parks sets ABL three-point record in Alab romp over Heat]
His debut in Manila, however, was spoiled by a hot-shooting Alab side led by Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., who scored 35 points while going a record-breaking 8-of-8 from beyond the three-point arc.
As early as the warmups, the 22-year-old Munzon was already all pumped up, throwing down dunks to the delight of fans at the Paranaque venue.
Munzon insisted he wasn't out to prove something to Filipino fans, saying that he was only determined to get a victory for his slumping team that has now lost six of seven games.
“I just want to win the game. We are struggling right now, we just want to get over the hump. We have to stop the losing. I just want to come out, contribute, and get the win,” said Munzon.
Munzon and the Heat will play in the Philippines once more next week when they face Alab once again at the Almendras gym in Davao City.
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