MORE than his PBA career-high in scoring, Rashawn McCarthy is delighted that Columbian Dyip’s 86-85 stunner over Meralco has brought the team a step closer to a quarterfinal berth in the Philippine Cup.
McCarthy exploded for 30 points, eight rebounds, and three assists at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night as the Dyip ended a three-game losing streak to get back on track in the playoff race.
The Fil-Am wingman was 6-of-12 from three-point range and 11-of-22 from the field in surpassing his previous career-best of 23 points against Rain or Shine in last year’s Commissioner’s Cup.
“It’s a big win for us coming off a three-game losing streak. And if we want a chance to move on to the quarterfinals this is a very important game, coach has been stressing that all week,” said McCarthy after the Dyip improved to 3-4 overall.
“This is a big game for us. We’re in a good position to move into the Top 8 and move into the quarterfinals."
McCarthy said the three-week break enabled the Dyip to regroup and recharge after losing consecutive games to Alaska, Barangay Ginebra, and NLEX.
“It’s always good for us to get away from the game a little bit, and just re-set, refocus and regroup. And we did a good job on that,” said the 29-year-old forward.
The Dyip went off to a bad start against the Bolts, falling behind by as much as 15 points in the first quarter before McCarthy caught fire in the second quarter, scoring 10 to help the team get back on the game at the half, 45-42.
“We fought back and we did not give up anymore. We just don’t want to give up,” said McCarthy. “This was a big game, and big way to bounce back from our three-game losing streak.”
Columbian returns to the floor on Friday against Blackwater in a game which McCarthy describes as ‘winnable.’
“I look forward to the challenge on Friday,” he said. “I’m sure they also want to get into the win column also, so it’s a challenge. Every game is a challenge, we don’t expect no easy games.”
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