FEELING HIS WAY IN
In his first game for Air21, Wesley Witherspoon had a roaring debut – 44 points and nine rebounds, and at the same time, shocking their opponents, the Meralco Bolts.
That was until the defense clamped down on him and slowly chucked their 20-point lead, and in the end, blew the Express in the end game.
With more than a couple of practices already under his belt, Witherspoon was aching for revenge.
And with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on their schedule, the 6-foot-9 swingman wanted no less than to validate his reputation and prove that he is more than just a prolific scorer.
That he did, scoring 25 points, a big drop from his opening game output, to go with his 10 boards. But more importantly, the Express scored a 97-95 win over the Kings.
For the 24-year-old Witherspoon, he is just happy to chalk that first win under his sleeve.
“The first is always the toughest. I’m glad that we got that out of the way. We found a way to win tonight and we just have to look forward to our next game,” he said.
Being a good soldier that he is, Wesley said being a replacement import isn’t an issue for him and he’s willing to do whatever coach Franz Pumaren asks him to.
“If the coach wants me to play defense, score, whatever that needs to be done, I’ll do it.”
He also said that so far, he has gotten a grasp of what his other teammates could do, enabling them to protect their lead against Ginebra.
“It doesn’t take long,” he said. “We’re getting better. The guys are adjusting in getting me here, and I’m adjusting to the guys. I’m starting to feel out what they could do. But we’re going to get better.”
Witherspoon also said that he is not intimidated by the physicality of the game in the PBA, saying, “It’s a part of the game. It’s like growing up with an older brother and playing bully ball with him. At the end of the day, it’s just basketball.” (RL)
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