ITS back may be against the wall, but Greg Smith believes Blackwater’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal against Rain or Shine is far from over.
“The series is not over, it’s a long series,” said Smith on Saturday after the Elite squandered an eight-point lead inside the final 1:32 and lost, 83-80, against the Elasto Painters at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“I believe in this team, I believe in me,” he added. “Back to practice, back to scouting, and get ready for the next game. I will be ready.”
In his first game back with Blackwater since the 2017 edition of the same conference, Smith came through with 16 points and 19 rebounds.
But he also admitted his 2-of-11 shooting didn’t help the cause of the Elite, the No. 3 seeded team at the end of the eliminations.
He vowed to come back strong in Game 2 on Tuesday and hopefully, force a deciding game for a berth in the semifinals.
“I won’t shoot 2-for-11. I’ll be more aggressive and I’ll make those shots,” said the former Houston Rocket, who held his own against Rain or Shine counterpart Carl Montgomery (17 points and 19 rebounds).
What also makes Smith confident is that Blackwater is a team hungry for recognition.
“They’re hungry, they’re a young team, and they want to win,” he said.
“This team right here is brotherhood. I came in the first day and they settled me in and told me what they like to do on offense and defense,” said Smith.