HAMADY N’Diaye is embracing his additional offensive role for Kia in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Regarded mainly as the Carnival’s defensive anchor, the towering Senegalese slotman has been tasked to shoulder more of the load on offense for the expansion side and although they lost to Rain or Shine, 94-90, his better-rounded game showed on Wednesday.
“It’s just a little more responsibility and I feel comfortable,” N’Diaye said in a chat with Spin.ph. “I came all the way to the Philippines literally for that: to work on my offensive game. And I feel much better shooting and doing post moves.”
While his defense remained dominant after blocking eight shots, the 6-foot-11 big man, who came in averaging 16.3 points, registered 31 points on 12-of-21 shooting on an array of moves down low against the Painters.
There has been a conscious effort from the coaching staff led by Chito Victolero and his teammates to get him more touches.
“I always work on it. I just never actually practice it in the game. Now that I get the opportunity to do a lot of things for this team, I have to be basically the leader of this team. When I get to do that, it feels great.”
“But it’s better to get the win in the end,” he was quick to add. “I’ll try to do anything just to win these games.”
Still, their remaining opponents – Talk ‘N Text on Friday and Meralco on Friday – must watch out with the new offensive weapon in his arsenal as the Carnival press their quarterfinal bid.
“Everybody knows I’m a great defensive player. Now offensively too, it just puts a little more stress on the other team,” N’Diaye said.
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