THERE’S no shortage of playing time for Greg Smith in the PBA.
The former NBA journeyman found that out right in his debut for Blackwater in the Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday.
After averaging just 12.3 minutes in 149 games with Houston, Dallas, and Minnesota, Smith played 54 minutes and 46 seconds in a double-overtime loss to Phoenix.
The 6-foot-10 American big man was so exhausted that he appeared to leave the Astrodome early, leaving waiting reporters to ask Denok Miranda of his initial thoughts on their dominant import who scattered 37 points and 30 rebounds.
[See Phelps goes full throttle as Phoenix outlasts Blackwater in 2OT]
“Napagod siya kasi in his four-year career niya (sa NBA), parang yun na yung laro niya kasi sa NBA ‘di naman siya ganung gamit,” Miranda said. “Nagbiro siya na yung laro kong yun, in four years na. Dito sa PBA, isang game lang.”
“Talagang siguro nagpapakondisyon pa lalo kasi siya din talaga yung main guy kasi kulang kami sa big man, sya yung main big man namin,” he added. “Nagkaroon kami ng rim protector tsaka rebounder, yun yung kulang namin last conference.”
The entire Elite team appeared to look weary as they ran out of gas against the Fuel Masters in the second extra sessions.
“Test of character sa amin,” Miranda said. “Kailangan lang namin mag-execute kahit pagod na pagod kami, parang ngayon lang kami naka-experience ng double OT. Siguro mage-execute kami tsaka konting tiis sa depensa.”
“Mind over matter na yan eh,” he added. “Puro utakan na lang yan kasi pagod na yung katawan namin. Pero positive naman yun (in preparation) sa coming games.”