TNT KaTropa coach Nash Racela admitted Donte Greene’s performance in his debut left much to be desired and was non-committal when asked if his import’s showing was enough for him to keep his job.
The new Texters import scored 22 points but made just nine of his 28 shots for a paltry 32.1 percent. He also committed four turnovers in 36 minutes in the team’s 92-89 win over Blackwater in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday night.
While acknowledging it’s his import’s first time playing in the country, Racela said he expects more from the NBA veteran.
“You also have to understand that this is the first time he’s played in the Philippines,” Racela began. "A lot of our imports, especially mga first-timers, they really have to experience first-hand the kind of basketball that we have here in the Philippines.
“Marami dyan, ang thinking nila madali dito, but it’s not easy playing here,” he added. “You only realize that when you play the actual game.”
“For Donte, he needs to give us more than we gave today,” he continued of Greene, who did contribute 13 boards, two steals, one assist, and one block. “I think that’s one learning na meron kami.”
[See Greene vows to atone for 'terrible' debut]
Asked in the post-game conference his import’s tenure will last, Racela was non-commital.
“I think so. Hindi ko alam,” Racela said, even admitting that there’s always a replacement import waiting in case they plan to make a change.
“Palagi namang ganun. Trabaho ni boss Virgil (Villavicencio) yun,” he added with a smile.
For now, Racela is hoping to see Greene live up to expectations.
“Personally, I’m not satisfied, because I know he could give us more than what we gave today,” Racela said. “Again, you only learn through experience, actual games. Hopefully, after this game, then makita niya kung ano talaga yung kailangan ibigay.”