LOU Amundson didn't exactly have a PBA debut to remember for TNT KaTropa, but the NBA journeyman still received a passing grade from teammates and head coach Nash Racela.
Amundson, who played for 11 NBA teams in a 10-year NBA career, finished with just 19 points on 8-19 shooting to go with 18 boards in 30 foul-plagued minutes - not bad for a player who just had two practices with the team, according to Racela.
"Okay naman. He gave us what we needed defensively," Racela said. "But I think, especially in the second half when we were struggling offensively, hindi lang kami makakuha ng puntos. We only had two practices with him so I think familiarity was a factor."
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Rookie Roger Pogoy liked the intensity that Amundson brought to the table.
"Go hard. Siguro ginagamay pa niya 'yung laro dito sa PBA. Bago lang e. Kakarating lang. Pero sa practice okay naman. Matalino e," Pogoy said.
Jayson Castro, who watched the game from the sidelines, echoed Pogoy's sentiments.
"Siyempre hindi pa natin nakikita kasi isamg game pa lang to, so maybe next game mas marami pa siyang maco-contribute," Castro said.
But would it be enough for Amundson to prolong his stay in the country, especially with original TNT choice Donte Green already in the country and waiting to suit up?
Racela remains mum on the issue.
"I can't answer that, I wouldn't want to talk about it," he said.