CADE Flores is someone coach Bonnie Tan has been very familiar with since his college days.
No wonder Flores has been getting the breaks and extra minutes now that he's playing for him at Northport.
The rookie forward continued with his solid play for the Batang Pier in Friday night's 128-123 overtime win over TNT in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Philsports Arena.
READ Fran Yu atones for boo-boo, helps NorthPort stun TNT in overtime
Flores was quietly efficient with 16 points (7-of-11 from the field), eight rebounds, and four assists, while taking on the daunting task of taking on former NBA player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on defense.
Although a first-round pick of Northport (No. 11 overall) and was the Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and a Mythical Five member of NCAA Season 98 out of Arellano, Flores is still surprised with the key role and playing minutes he's being given by Tan in his maiden season as a pro.
"I'm always surprised with the minutes I get," said the 6-foot-5 forward. "I think it comes from my intensity, defense, and rebounding, I guess."
But Tan is very familiar with the Fil-Australian from Sydney, having battled him and the Chiefs in the NCAA during his time as champion coach of the Letran Knights.
And despite belonging to opposite teams in college, Tan would always have good words for him, according to the 25-year-old Flores.
"I first met him in college. And he will come up and have a few words every time I play well," Flores said. "He also helps my confidence going to the professional league for the first time."
The Northport coach has so much trust on his prized-rookie that he assigned him to defend the 28-year-old Hollis-Jefferson.
"I was focused completely on trying to guard RHJ. That was my only assignment on this game," said the rookie.
Incidentally, the win which improved Northport's record to 3-2 overall, marked the first ever overtime game for Flores as far as he can recall.
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