HOWELL CAN HE BE?
In his first PBA game, Richard Howell showed how good he puts his 6-foot-8 ceiling to use as he grabbed 30 rebounds to go with his 15 points against Air21.
Three days later, the 23-year-old showed his shooting prowess as he canned 29 points and hauled down 12 rebounds in their game against Alaska.
And after almost a week’s rest, the former North Carolina State standout is really making heads turn, as Howell registered a complete game to pace Talk ‘N Text to a 107-99 win over San Miguel Beer on Friday to grab solo top spot in the standings.
Teaming up with Jimmy Alapag, Howell ate the Beermen alive as he wound up with 38 points, 20 rebounds, four assists, and five steals to power the Tropang Texters to their third consecutive victory.
“Richard delivered down the stretch, and then Jimmy (Alapag) came through at the finish,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black, who was ejected in the third quarter after arguing a call in Howell’s behalf. “I have to thank coach Sandy (Arespacochaga) and the rest of the coaching staff for taking over, and the players for coming through in the clutch especially Richard.”
With his gaudy numbers, the former NBA D-League stud who played for the Idaho Stampede is now gaining serious consideration this early for the Best Import race.
But for Howell, he’s just doing what he was tasked to do.
“I’m bringing in a lot of hardwork, hustle, and rebounding to the team. Whatever coach wants me to do, I’ll do it,” he said.
He added, “Coach Norman (Black) asked me to play hard. I told him that he’ll never find me on a night when I don’t play as hard as I could, because that’s the key especially in playing in big games.”
Coming in to a team which boasts of a winning tradition in the past few years, Howell said that he is more excited than pressured to play in Talk ‘N Text’s blue-and-yellow threads, saying, “The expectations are definitely higher, but I don’t really want to go to a team where they don’t really expect enough.”
“I feel like we have everything to get this done. I love them and I feel the chemistry,” Howell added. “I really feel that it’s going to be a special conference.” (RL)
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