SAN Mig coach Tim Cone had a simple explanation for Denzel Bowles' disappointing performance in his debut against Rain or Shine just two days earlier.
"He was in gym shape, not in game shape," Cone said.
Prior to coming over to replace Matt Rogers, Bowles had spent much of the past few months rehabilitating a strained knee that interrupted his stint with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the Chinese Basketball Association.
But after a 12-point performance in a 65-93 loss to Rain or Shine last Friday, Bowles was back to his old self as he exploded for 29 points, 23 rebounds, two assists, and three blocks in a 90-82 win over Talk 'N Text on Sunday.
“I just (wanted) to play better than last (my) game,” said Bowles, a wide smile never leaving his face during the entire post game-interview at the Araneta Coliseum press room.
“It was just all mental for me,” he added. “If I can get over the mental stuff then I can get back to playing basketball and we’ll be fine.”
After his three-point play early in the final period produced the game's ninth deadlock at 68-all, Bowles capped a decisive nine-point spurt by the Mixers with an emphatic right-handed slam, 77-68.
“Tonight it was a lot better.I missed a lot of shots (in the first game) but I’m getting my rhythm going so it’s a big win for us. So we just got to keep the momentum going and we’ll see where it goes,” he said.
“That’s what we really need, a big win tonight, and we got it so I’m really proud of my team,” he said.
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