RAMON ‘Ray’ Cao was the only player from Macau who had PBA experience prior to their foray in the 50th Season Commissioner's Cup.
The Chinese-Australian player previously saw action for Hong Kong in the same conference last season, where Eastern reached the playoffs before being dislodged by TNT in the quarterfinals.
While the Black Knights didn't get as far as HK, as they finished with a 3-9 record, Cao still enjoyed his experience of playing again in Asia's first pay-for-play league.
“It feels good finishing off with a win. The season wasn't what we expected. We expected better results, but it was good to finish with a win,” said Cao after they wrapped up their campaign with a 105-98 victory vs. Phoenix Super LPG last Wednesday.
READ: Also-ran Macau ruins Phoenix Super LPG bid for twice-to-beat spot
“I love it here. It's extremely fun to play here, and I'm just blessed to be back. It's a blessing.”
Cao's second stint in the PBA was actually unexpected. He was already bound for NBL 1, Australia's second-tier league, when Macau came calling.
“It was really last minute,” he said Cao. “I was preparing to play NBL 1 back home in Australia, and then that's when I got asked to come here a week before. It was really a short notice, but I'm glad to be back.”
The short notice explains why Cao got off to a slow start; though as he started to log more and more minutes, he got better and better. After averaging 6.8 points in his first four games, he normed 19 points during his last eight.
More pointedly, Cao averaged 26.3 points in the Black Knights' final three games, where they went 2-1.
“I had to get my legs under me. It was a slow start, but I was slowly getting back into shape,” he added.
Cao's growth
And unlike in his first time in the PBA, Cao had a larger role aside from scoring for Macau.
“It was a good opportunity for me to be more of a leader in this team. I had a bigger role and I just wanted to step up and do good for my team," he said.
"My first year, it was my first rookie year as a pro, and I was still learning, still getting nervous before games. But the second year, I feel much more calm and confident.”
Now his second stint in the PBA has come to a close, Cao looks to get another opportunity to play elsewhere.
He won't mind coming back to Manila for a third go-round, however.
“I'll be willing to come back. I'll just have to see my options and just do what's best for me,” he said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
