ANTIPOLO – JB Bahio continued to underscore the newfound depth NLEX while helping turn the team into a contender in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup.
Proving the Road Warriors are more than just Robert Bolick's team, Bahio put up a career-high 23 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the field, six rebounds, and two assists in the 99-88 win over Blacwater on Wednesday at the Ynares Center.
Reiterating they signed him primarily for rebounding purposes, NLEX coach Jong Uichico is glad to see the 6-foot-5 big man become one of the team’s offensive weapons.
READ NLEX the unlikely solo PBA leader after cruising past Blackwater
“Padagdag siya ng padagdag. And that’s not because of me. It’s because he works hard in practice in trying to develop his game para makipag-compete siya sa ibang malalaki sa liga,” Uichico said.
One aspect that has enabled Bahio to become one of the Road Warriors’ most consistent players is his midrange game.
“Kailangan ng player ng kumpiyansa eh,” Uichico said. “It’s not like tinitira niya yung hindi niya kaya i-shoot. Ang tinitira niya yung kaya niyang i-shoot, so it’s a good addition to the system if JB has developed a consistent medium-range jumpshot. It’s good for the system.”
Coming into the game averaging a near-double-double of 13.3 points on 55-percent field-goal shooting and 9.5 boards, Bahio sustained his double-digit scoring ways, this time against the hapless Bossing.
The San Beda product scored nine of his output in the payoff period where the Road Warriors pulled away after seeing the Blackwater threaten behind a third-quarter rally.
Bahio, though, played down his offensive emergence, deflecting credit to his veteran playmakers Robert Bolick and Kevin Alas who constantly reward him for always being in the right place, at the right time.
“Nata-timing lang din siguro sa sistema ni coach – yung mga pwesto ko, mga drop passes nila kuya Berto, kuya Kev, and pulot-pulot lang, at paminsan nagwa-one-on-one din,” Bahio said.
Wherever he scores, Bahio and his timely offense is just what his team needs to disrupt the order in the PBA.
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