DONTE Greene is still hoping Gilas Pilipinas would give him a second look as far as becoming a naturalized player is concerned.
While Gilas management has already started formal talks with Blackwater import Greg Smith, Greene showed he also deserves the spot after scattering 41 points and 21 boards to lead TNT KaTropa to a 112-103 statement win over San Miguel Beer last Friday.
“I just hope I get it. Y'all vote for me. If y'all have a vote, vote for me,” Greene told reporters in jest before turning serious after the game.
“It's up in the air still,” the NBA veteran said. “I think if I come out there and just continue to play well, play hard, and show the team I'm willing to do whatever, hopefully we help the national team out.”
[See Inside-out game, great attitude make Greg Smith ideal for Gilas, says Chot]
Greene and Smith have dropped by national team practice once on separate occasions last month as a virtual tryout for a spot as Andray Blatche's backup.
“Like I said, it will be a blessing so I hope I get it,” Greene said. “If not, I'll just continue to play hard.”
And the Texters import has been doing so under coach Nash Racela as he put up his best game so far last Friday since replacing Lou Amundson.
“(I’m) just working man,” Greene said. “Coach called me out last game and told me I needed to be more consistent so I took that as a challenge and try to come out and be consistent each quarter, not just with my scoring but with my shooting – to make sure I shot a decent amount of threes and also got to the cup too.
“Now I need to go back and work on my free throws,” he added.