KEITH Datu answered the call of the Rain or Shine coaching staff with a bounce-back performance in Game 3.
Averaging a measly 2.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in the first two games of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, Datu had 13 points, 10 rebounds, and one block in Rain or Shine’s 107-86 win over TNT in Game 3.
The 6-foot-8 Datu is the tallest in the team, so is tasked to make RoS competitve against TNT’s collection of bigs such as Poy Erram, Kelly Williams, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser. Rain or Shine has been longing for his presence in this series.
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“Nag-usap kami ni Keith with the coaching staff. We told him we know he can play better. We know he can make a better contribution. And he showed it (in Game 3). He played longer minutes, he got his share of rebounds, played with a lot of hustle. So ang tingin ko, baka kailangan lang niya ng konting motivation,” said Guiao.
The 21-year-old Datu is grateful that his coaches continue to trust him even with the two modest games to start the semifinals.
“They expect a lot out of me, and honestly they should and I'm up for the challenge and I know what I can bring to the table. They wouldn’t come talk to me if they didn’t think I was capable of making an impact. I want to show them that I am going to make an impact,” said Datu.
Datu hopes to continue his good showing come the crucial Game 4 where Rain or Shine is looking to tie the series on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Definitely, a better show for us individually and as a whole as a team (in Game 3). We went out there and we know that our lives are on the line. We’re down 0-2 so we gave our best shot, and every small detail, every possession of the game matters at this point. So we just go out there and do our best.
“Game 4 is gonna be a huge game. We need to win that game to really turn the series around and this win (in Game 3) shows that… We got to win but I believe in this team and I know what this team is capable of individually and as a team.
"I trust our coaches and the system that we’re running to accomplish our goal,” said Datu.
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