IT would have been a lot different had Tony Mitchell been with NLEX right from the start of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
As it was, Mitchell only suited up on Wednesday night against Alaska and obviously wasn’t accustomed yet to the Road Warriors’ system as the team suffered a lopsided 100-87 loss.
Although the 27-year-old Mitchell exploded for 20 points in the fourth quarter to finish with a game-high 34, he couldn't save the Road Warriors from talling to their third straight loss and a place in the cellar with Columbian Dyip.
“We hadn’t really tapped into his skills yet. And that takes time. Two, three, or four days are not enough,” said NLEX deputy Jojo Lastimosa, who called the shots for NLEX in the absence of coach Yeng Guiao.
“We need him to spend more time with the team, and hopefully, when he gets in synch with the other guys, we still have enough games to qualify in the playoffs.”
Mitchell had been eyed by the Road Warriors as early as April or following his stint in Taiwan. But the three times he was expected to be here, the 6-foot-8 import out of North Texas didn’t show up.
That prompted NLEX to turn to Curtis Washington, who lasted only for a single game with the team before Mitchell finally came over.
“Yun lang, it was already a setback because you have to get your import here early,” said Lastimosa.
“You have to get him to know the players, to know everything. You know how it is,” he added. “Kailangan talaga may teamwork na yung mga imports in order for us to have a chance. And right now, we don’t have any.”
NLEX still has eight games left in the eliminations and will return to action on Saturday against Columbian Dyip.
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