PAOLO Taha was an unlikely hero for NorthPort in Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Barangay Ginebra.
The second-string guard proved a thorn in the side of his former team on Wednesday night as the Batang Pier pulled off a 108-103 win over the Gin Kings to avoid a humiliating sweep at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Taha, who Ginebra sent to NorthPort in a 2018 one-on-one trade for Julian Sargent, has mostly languished on the bench but has somehow stuck around, signing a three-year deal with the Batang Pier in 2022 that expires next season.
READ Tim Cone finds Ginebra effort in close-out Game 4 'unacceptable'
“Ang hirap. Parang nakakapagod din," he said of his limited role. "Pero mentally, ready ako, nage-extra ako everyday. I’m healthy. Ready naman ako lagi.
Given the chance in Game Four, the 34-year old guard made the most of it.
Taha, who only played a total of five games in the entire elimination round, started for the Batang Pier in Game Four and in his 29 minutes and 55 seconds on the floor with his 11 points, three assists, and three steals.
“Down 0-3 na kami eh. The past few games naman, parang positive naman ‘yung mga games ko. Siguro naisipan nila coach na ilagay ako sa starting line-up,” said Taha. “Okay naman. Maganda naman ang resulta. Big line-up, tapos we got the W’"
Taha, who averaged 3.6 points in the elimination round this conference, played for Ginebra from 2016 to 2018 where he won a championship with the Gin Kings during the 2017 Governors’ Cup before the trade to NorthPort.
The six-foot guard was glad the rest of his teammates responded to the challenge after losing three games against his former team by an average margin of 20.3 points.
“At least, di ba? Mahirap kapag 0-4 ka, hindi ka man lang lumaban. Hindi naman ‘yun ang character ng team namin. Hindi naman ‘yun ‘yung NorthPort basketball. The past three games, parang wala talaga eh, ang layo ng lamang sa amin. Ang hirap maglaro ng ganun na they are up by 20, first half pa lang,” said Taha.
“This game, we wanted to siyempre show some pride naman na hindi puwedeng basta-basta lang na 0-4 kami. Do-or-die game for us. Thank God nanalo kami.”
Taha warning
Having played for Ginebra before, Taha knows that the Gin Kings will be out to respond with the loss, and NorthPort should be ready for it.
“We will play our best, give our best every time. It’s a do-or-die game for us again. Buhos na. Backs against the wall. Kailangan pagtrabahuin talaga ‘yung game lalo na against Ginebra. Champion team.
"I’ve been with Ginebra. I won a championship with Ginebra. Alam ko paano mag-trabaho ‘yung mga ‘yun. Sobrang disiplinado especially with coach Tim [Cone]. Mag-aadjust sila. We will be ready naman,” said Taha.
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