NICK Demusis proved he can still play basketball at a high level.
The veteran Fil-Am obviously was playing well against Israel Romero that he earned the ire of the Puerto Rican player represnting Al Ahli Tripoli in the recent 35th Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Demusis, flying the Zamboanga Valientes colors, was twice kicked in the head and in the neck by the 6-foot-9 Romero while he was down on the floor after being tackled from behind by the Puerto Rican naturalized player.
READ: Former Meralco import faces Dubai ban for attack on Nick Demusis
Romero was ejected out of the game, and later on, was slapped with a police complaint filed by Demusis and the Valientes.
But the 6-foot-4 forward wanted a better picture of him beyond the incident as he showed he can still play competitive ball given another opportunity.
And his consistent plays with the Valientes in Dubai hopefully, would open the door again on a possible return to the PBA.
“If something opens up and after this played well, go from there,” said Demusis, husband to former courtside reporter and now news anchor Rizza Diaz.
PHOTO: Wendell Alinea
He admitted practicing with Phoenix, his original PBA team which picked him in the second round of the 2020 draft, just before the franchise went through a roster overhaul recently with the hiring of new coach Charles Tiu.
Demusis said he kept in shape by doing his own personal training and practicing alongside the University of the East Warriors, where he served as part of Chris Gavina’s coaching staff.
“I stayed in shape by practicing with the guys at UE, jumping in scrimmages and at the weight room,” he added.
And that says a lot why he’s in top playing form when Zamboanga Valientes team owner Junnie Navarro called him up for the Dubai meet, where he was reunited with former Phoenix teammate Vic Manuel and played under coach RJ Argamino, his fellow deputy mentor with the Road Warriors.
Demusis plans to practice with some PBA teams before the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup, and if things don’t pan out, he could stick it out with Zamboanga.
“Or probably be in the tournaments where Zamboanga plays in,” he added.
Taking on a coaching job is likewise in the horizon.
“It’s getting there,” he added, pointing out on his coaching duties with the Warriors.
“You just learn in a different way than just playing and seeing the game differently,” said Demusis about coaching.
“These kids just need a guidance, right? Not just playing-wise, but how basketball can keep you in life. To be honest, not all of these kids are not going to be pros, so what you learned from basketball, you take it to your work, to your family, and wherever in life.”
After Phoenix, Demusis also suited up for Rain or Shine before taking his act back in the MPBL with the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards.
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