ALEC Stockton brought thrill to the San Miguel-Converge series in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals by hitting the game-winning stepback jumper to complete the FiberXers’ comeback in Game Three and avoid a sweep in the best-of-five matchup.
That’s what happens when you have someone known as The Thriller on your side.
The FiberXers rising star gave credit to assistant coach Willie Miller for helping him hone his stepback jumper that was evident in that clutch shot from the right wing over CJay Perez for the 114-112 win last Monday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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“I just believe in that shot,” Stockton said. “I work with coach Willie, working on my stepback after every practice and just thank God it came out this game.”
Miller, a two-time PBA MVP, is glad to see Stockton’s extra work bear fruit.
“Nakakatuwa naman kasi last shot, instead of driving towards the traffic, so mas less yung percentage kasi. And yung comeback,” Miller said as Converge clawed back from 27 points down to pull off one of the biggest comebacks in league history.
A lefty guard known for his ability to create his own shot, Miller advised Stockton to be smart enough deciding between driving hard and taking a less-contested jump shots in games.
Stockton chose correctly this time.
“We all know Alec is too aggressive. When he sees the lane, he’s gonna attack hard,” Miller said.
“Mas less challenge (pag jumper) eh,” he added. “Pero syempre, if the lane is open, I’m always telling him, pag open, atake ka, pero minsan, akala mo open lang eh, pero yung help nandudun.”
“If you’re gonna pull up, wala ng tatapal. Ikaw na may kasalanan if you’re going to miss the shot. And he’s not missing his shot in practice,” he continued.
And Stockton’s work behind the scenes has allowed him to emerge as the FiberXers’ go-to guy alongside big man Justin Arana. In Game Three, Stockton put up 20 points, eight assists, seven boards, and one steal in 32 minutes.
“Dati role player lang, ‘di ba? So we need that in our team,” Miller said. “Kasi sa team namin, hanggang ngayon, kulang pa rin yung talagang main man. Minsan paganun-ganun yung performance niya. Sabi ko, ‘Hindi, maniwala ka na ikaw. Kahit mag-miss ka, hindi naman magagalit yung coaches eh, kasi ikaw na talaga yung kailangan.’”
“We all know pag kulang sila ni Schonny [Wilson] tsaka yung guwardiya namin, hirap kami manalo,” he added.
And Miller refuses to take any credit.
“Hindi naman sa’kin yun. Hard worker siya. Nag-guide lang tayo,” the 47-year-old Miller said. “He’s practicing his own shot. Hindi naman talaga ako. Siya yun. Tira niya yun.”
But was Stockton’s shot just like Miller’s old times?
“Hindi. Buwaya ako eh,” Miller, whose best-scoring season saw him average 20.7 points for Alaska in 2007-08, ended with a chuckle.
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