BOWLES UNFAZED, LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYOFFS
Purefoods fans definitely got what they wanted when Denzel Bowles returned to the Philippines to help the skidding Hotshots. And they made Bowles feel their love with the applause he got when he came onto the Araneta Coliseum hardcourt last Sunday.
Unfortunately, his return game ended in an 87-96 loss to Barangay Ginebra.
Despite the defeat, Bowles is still upbeat on the Hotshots’ situation, saying, “It’s good to be back. It’s a great atmosphere. I came back at the right time. It was a great game and we just came out short.”
Tallying 31 points and just six rebounds obviously wasn’t enough, and he acknowledges that he still has to get himself back to the PBA grind after being out for three years.
“I just had to get more familiar again, the basics, but I just have to jell with the team a little bit more,” he said.
And part of that comes with the adjustment to the Philippine climate after his stint in the Chinese league.
“It’s really the adjustment. It’s very cold there because it snows everyday and now, it’s very hot,” he said. “But I’m getting it slowly. I got my second wind in the fourth quarter towards the end. It just takes time. I just got here a day ago, so I’ll be ok.”
And though Purefoods is on a three-game losing skid, Bowles is looking more at the bigger picture.
“We just have to make it to the playoffs. That’s all we’re worrying for,” he said. “We’re not worried who were playing. We just want to get to the playoffs.” (RL)
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