QUICKMELT TO THE RESCUE
San Mig Super Coffee received some bad news two hours before the game Tuesday. Peter June Simon was down with back spasms, crippling the Scoring Apostle at home and ruling him out for their quarterfinal date with San Miguel Beer that same day.
Coach Tim Cone had to search for answers fast, as the Beermen were hell-bent on forcing a do-or-die game on Thursday to keep their hopes alive in the 2014 PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup.
Cone had his answer right there sitting at the end of his bench.
And when he called the player’s number out, the crowd knew that they were in for a treat, as a fan favorite rose from his seat. He lost no time dazzling the crowd with his moves, most notably, a killer crossover against Sol Mercado which left the audience hoping for more.
By the game’s end, he had a career-high 16 points and very ably filled the gaping hole left by their scoring guard.
His name? Justin Melton.
“Justin stepped up big time. I can’t take him off the floor,” Cone said.
But for the 5-foot-10 rookie, it’s just what coach Tim has been preaching to the squad, which is to focus.
“Coach really emphasized focus come playoff time,” Melton said. “He really emphasizes that in practice, ‘Focus, focus, focus.’ It’s where it counts, in practice. I guess in practice, we could focus and carry it to the game.”
He added, “Just knowing that PJ wasn’t here, we all collectively stepped up. Alex (Mallari) coming in playing defense, Allein (Maliksi) coming in and hitting big shots, it’s all collective. One of us not being able to play, everybody has to step up.”
Melton also looked back on that crossover play against Mercado, and said that none of that was intentional at all.
“I just try to build my confidence while I’m out there. Sol’s a great defender. You have to do something, or else, he’s gonna lock you down,” he said.
With San Mig Coffee poised to square off once more with Commissioner’s Cup foes Talk ‘N Text, Melton will be placed one more on the other end against Jayson Castro, a challenge Quickmelt is willing to once again experience.
“I love going against Jayson. He’s an awesome player. He’s super fast and I enjoy it. I enjoy competing against him,” he said.
As for the Grand Slam, Melton said that the key will still be what they have been doing since Day 1.
“We just have to continue doing what we’re doing, sticking with our plan, and playing good team basketball. May the best team win.” (RL)
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