TYLER Bey was in defensive mode on Friday and Magnolia’s adjustment made big dividends as the Hotshots finally claimed a win in the PBA 48th Season Commissioner’s Cup finals.
Bey made Bennie Boatwright earn his every point in Game Three, one of the huge differences that led to the Hotshots beating the Beermen, 88-80.
Boatwright still had a game-high 27 points but missed nine of his 13 three-point shots in the contest. The San Miguel import also turned the ball over eight times.
For Bey, it was easy for him to accept the role of a defender first in Game Three, knowing how important the contest was.
Bey: I just have to step up
“It’s the playoffs so I have to give it my all,” said Bey. “I just play through whatever, scoring, whatever coach wants me to do, I’ll do it. Bennie Boatwright is a great player, he is an amazing player. I just have to step up tonight.”
“I don’t want to go down 0-3. I feel like we are back in the series,” said Bey.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero believes in Bey’s ability to defend.
“Tyler is also a skilled player, an athletic player. He is long. He is quick. He is the best player to be assigned to Boatwright. Hopefully, in the next game, magawa niya ‘yung same job at same mentality na ‘yun,” said Victolero.
Due to his assignment on defense, Bey scored a conference-low 11 points on 5-of-14 shooting from the field, which he doesn’t mind.
“It was me sacrificing. I just want to win. I don’t really care about anything else. I just want to win the game and get my teammates to the promised land,” said Bey.
Victolero says locals need to step up on offense
Victolero said he will take Bey’s unusually low-scoring production every time, as long as the locals step up on offense.
“We don’t care who scores 20+ points or 10 points or two points. T-Bey knows that. He knows that he has to have that defensive mentality against Boatwright. I think it’s all about the team effort,” said Victolero.
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