MONSTER PRESENCE IN THE PAINT
Allen Durham has started making eyebrows rise in his short time here in the Philippines.
He was supposed to have come earlier after French league teammate and Air21 Commissioner’s Cup import Wesley Witherspoon recommended him to the Express, but Durham wanted to at least take a breather.
“I was just wrapping my season in France and my body needed rest, but he’s telling me all the good things in the PBA,” he said.
Durham’s wish to take some time off made the Express go with Dominique Sutton, leaving Durham out in the cold and waiting for another suitor as he bid his time. When the opportunity came, “I changed my mind (on resting), and here I am now.”
Replacing an already impressive import in Eric Wise, the 26-year-old veteran of various leagues in France, Israel, Finland, and Romania had a rousing debut for Barako Bull, a 122-98 win over GlobalPort where he logged in a triple-double of 32 points, 24 rebounds, and 10 assists.
And for a followup?
How about a 28-point, 29-rebound outing on an 88-74 upset victory over Talk ‘N Text Tuesday? More importantly, the win sent the Energy to the quarterfinals.
In just two games, one can’t deny the impact Durham has had on the Energy.
“He makes a great difference,” Barako Bull head coach Siot Tanquingcen said. “Kahit yung players nagkaka-kumpyansa tumira dahil alam nilang ang lakas nya rumebound.”
“Siguro mas na-fit lang yung style nya sa amin than Eric (Wise), kasi nung nawala si Dorian (Peña) parang donut yung team namin. Walang sentro. He’s really a big help sa team namin.”
“When I first got here, coach told me that he wanted somebody who can really hold down the paint, get physical inside, and make life tougher for the other bigs to score. That’s the type I focused on, and that’s the type of player that I am. I fit in good,” said the alumnus of Grace Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Focused on his given task, Durham said that he’s out here to do what he was asked, and that is to deliver in the paint for the Energy.
“I just come out here and play hard. My teammates look for me and get me the ball when I’m in good position, and I just try to finish every time,” he said. “We got one more game left and once we finish that game, we’ll go with our next strategy on who we play next.” (RL)
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