VENKY Jois powered NorthPort to victory over Converge in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday but ended the game wearing sneakers of different styles and colors.
The Australian import’s right shoe broke in the fourth quarter as NorthPort faced the prospect of losing him in the homestretch.
READ Northport makes it back-to-back wins, heaps more misery on Converge
Jois said it had not happened to him before.
“I think maybe a jab, fake, or spin, or something. My foot actually came outside of the shoe. Then, I was trying to play with my foot slipping out my sneakers,” recalled Jois.
The situation left NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan in a quandary.
“Sabi ko sa kanya, malayo Araneta [Coliseum]. Dito kasi, walang mall, eh,” said Tan, referring to the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Fortunately, a replacement pair of shoes was found - the same brand but of different style and color – allowing Jois to finish the game.
Shoes switch
Jois said he had no idea where the shoes came from.
The borrowed sneakers did little to slow down Jois who knocked in 13 of his 39 points in the final quarter to help the Batang Pier improve to 4-2 (win-loss).
Aside from the shoe malfunction, Jois is dealing with a minor hamstring issue that has affected his preparations.
“It’s been tough probably since the Magnolia game just to rehab and prepare enough for each game. We are trying to find the perfect balance and putting the word that we need to win games,” Jois said.
“We have a tough stretch but after that, we get some break and probably, heal my hamstring. I’m not worried about it. It’s minor. But from the preparation standpoint, it’s been difficult.”
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