RAYMOND Almazan is itching to get back on the court, and he hopes to finally get a chance to join his new team in five-on-five scrimmage next week.
"Sobrang nakakainip na nga eh," he said after Meralco scored a 101-92 victory over Columbian on Friday for its first win in the 2019 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
The newly acquired Bolts big man remained on the sidelines as he continues his recovery from a calf injury.
But don't mistake his inactivity to being a lameduck, as Almazan has taken it up to himself to familarize with coach Norman Black's schemes in practice and in the games.
"Sobrang iba ng sistema dito. Meron man kaming similarity sa Rain or Shine, sa isang play lang," he shared. "Pero hindi naman siya ganoong kahirap pick up-in. More on knowledge kay coach Norman, more of perfection on the play. Just go with the gameplan lang."
Almazan's confidence is also at an all-time high, believing that his skillset perfectly blends with Black's system -- one that puts a premium on defense.
"Defense-first naman talaga ako bago shoot. I started with defense bago pa ako makarating sa liga, so sana madala ko yung intensity sa defense and then makatulong ako sa team on rebounding, blocking, at helping sa weak side," said the former NCAA MVP as he hopes to shine brighter in Meralco.
And that's why Almazan is looking forward to next week, where he aims to practice with the Bolts in preparation for his potential debut, coincidentally, against Rain or Shine on May 31.
"Sobrang excited ako makapaglaro. Wala na siguro akong adjustment that time kasi injury-free na ako," he said, unmindful of the rust he got after being in the injury bay for the past two months.
"Mahirap lang kasi two months akong pahinga at iba talaga ang real game. Pero makukuha ko rin naman yung conditioning through the season. Lets see what happens na lang. Sana makakuha na ako ng go signal."
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