NORTHPORT coach Bonnie Tan apologized on behalf of Cade Flores for speaking softly during the postgame press conference of their team’s 124-120 win over Phoenix in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday night.
After all, the Batang Pier rookie sensation recently had his wisdom tooth extracted, leaving him in some pain and giving him a hard time to talk.
Good thing, Flores let his game do most of the talking as he poured a season-high 21 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter to help the Batang Pier fend off a Fuel Masters comeback.
“He played with pain, but he delivered pa rin,” Tan said of the Fil-Aussie banger.
Flores made all but one of his nine shots and highlighted his team-high offensive showing with a one-handed throwdown early in the fourth period.
The former Arellano stalwart also finished with a double-double with 12 rebounds alongside two assists against four turnovers before fouling out after playing over 28 minutes off the bench.
And who won’t be motivated to play well when you get snubbed from the RSJ All-Stars despite running second in the Rookie of the Year Race behind Stephen Holt at the end of the Commissioner’s Cup?
“I guess it fueled me,” Flores admitted. “It gives me extra determination to win games, an extra push.”
But it hardly matters whether it’s him or another Batang Pier leading the team in scoring – as long as they continue to win.
“Just playing as hard as I can, leave everything I got on the court every game,” Flores said after his team improved to 2-1 for a share of third spot.
“I don’t really play for achievements,” he added, referring to his season-high output. “I just do what I can for the team to get that dub. All I care is winning. Whatever I can do – whether it’s defense or locking up a player, I’ll do.”
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