LOOKS like San Miguel has found a keeper in Devon Scott after an impressive performance for the Beermen on Sunday.
The 28-year-old Scott scored 26 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the field while also chalking up 10 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals for the Beermen in a 124-116 victory over NLEX that ended their two-game losing skid.
The Beermen improved to 2-3 after making an import change for the second time this conference. Scott replaced Diamond Stone, who took over from Thomas Robinson after the latter sustained an injury before the conference could begin.
READ: Ginebra deals Magnolia its first loss behind classic NSD comeback
San Miguel coach Leo Austria was left impressed by the showing of the former Dayton and Philander Smith product.
“As of now, we really want him to stay,” said Austria. “It’s a big adjustment for him. We should understand his position na he is a replacement. He doesn’t have an idea what’s in the PBA, he doesn’t know his teammates, he doesn’t know his opponents. But he is getting better and better and that’s what we want from him.”
“We are not thinking of other players right now. We don’t know yet because you don’t know kung magkakaroon ng injury. Sana walang mangyari… But right now, we are happy with him,” said Austria.
Austria though said that, even with his excellent play and good attitude, the Beermen are still open to make a change. At the moment, Robinson remains on the injured list and is still communicating with the team.
“He keeps on communicating with coach Gee Abanilla [San Miguel team manager]. Of course, any possibility, we are not closing our door. You can never know kung magkaroon ng injury, magkaroon ng COVID especially in the playoff or an important game, why not.
“Pag-iisipan namin mabuti if Devon is playing well and most of the players love him because he is a team player and trying not to be unselfish. But we are not closing [the door]. Baka pag dumating, baka super import pala, why not. But right now, we are focusing on Devon,” said Austria.
Austria said he likes how unselfish Scott plays. The San Miguel coach even shared that Scott was too unselfish for his own good in his first game against Converge where he had 16 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists while shooting just 7-of-18 from the field.
“He is trying to be nice with his teammates. I kept on telling him before his first game, you should not be nice to your teammates sometimes because there is a shot for you. Siguro ‘yung few turnovers niya, trying to give the ball to his teammates. But what we want from him especially in the endgame is to take charge and we want some points,” Austria said.
“’Yung sipag niya, he keeps on running up and down. He almost played the entire game. It’s enough to motivate the players. They know that the import has a big role,” said Austria.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
