ANTIPOLO – Lou Amundson has mixed emotions after TNT KaTropa’s 134-109 victory over Phoenix in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup matchup on Sunday night.
While ecstatic after leading the team to its first win in the midseason tournament, the Texters import can’t celebrate the win that much as his stint has come to an end, with TNT original choice Donte Greene set to step in.
“Really, it’s kind of bittersweet,” Amundson said. “I like it here and my teammates are great people, coaches are great people. I’m just blessed with this opportunity and to be on this team for this short amount of time, it’s really enjoyable and I was able to get good experience here.”
Amundson believes his fellow NBA veteran in Greene will give the Texters the offensive punch they’ll need especially when Jayson Castro joins Gilas Pilipinas.
“I think he will be fine,” Amundson said of Greene. “He’s a great scorer. He shoots the ball from deep and just a talented scorer. He’s going to bring that scoring punch when Jayson is not with the team and I think he’ll integrate nicely.”
[See Nothing but gratitude as 'ultimate pro' Amundson goes out on a high]
As for himself, Amundson is open to playing for another team outside the US after getting his first taste of overseas play following a decade in the NBA.
“Hopefully find another team, hopefully a good European team,” the 34-year-old big man said. “This is my first experience outside of the NBA and outside of the US so I’m just trying to enjoy it and be in the moment and enjoy this experience.”
“I would love to play here again,” he added. “Hopefully, by having a little bit of experience here, I was able to show some teams what I have to offer and maybe, I’ll be back for another team in the future.”
The former Phoenix Sun is even hoping for a return to the NBA.
“I hope so. You’ll never know,” he said. “We’ll see what happens.”
Now that he’s here, Amundson might as well enjoy the country’s destinations at the cusp of summer season.
“I’ll try to see some of the islands. I’ll go to Palawan for a few days, relax by the beach, get some sun, and fly back home,” he said with a smile.