MAKING TEXTERS’ JOBS EASIER
Talk ‘N Text sure didn’t miss Jayson Castro that much Sunday evening as Jordanian playmaker Sam Daghles admirably filled in and steered the Tropang Texters to a 95-91 win over Barangay Ginebra to open its Governors’ Cup campaign.
With Castro out indefinitely due to an Achilles heel injury, Daghles accounted for 12 points, six assists and three rebounds in his PBA debut.
“It’s challenging,” the Jordanian court general said. “As soon as I saw how Jayson was playing and how good he was, I was excited. Being teammates with Jayson and Ranidel (de Ocampo), it puts less pressure on me. I could do what I do best, find open guys and get guys at their right spots, make their jobs easier.”
Daghles also had his moments in the game, as he nailed a tough turnaround jumper with 1:41 left in the game to give Talk ‘N Text a 93-84 lead.
And he is ecstatic for the opportunity to finally strut his stuff on the PBA hardcourt.
“It feels good to win the first game, although the biggest challenge wasn’t the actual game but the new basketball we’re playing with,” he said, noting that the change of the PBA gameball in conjunction to that of the FIBA. “The material is different but I have to adjust to it.”
Still, Daghles was glad to get that first W under his belt despite missing a lot of players, saying, “For a first game, with lots of new guys in and a lot of missing bodies, I thought we did well.”
“This (PBA) is different than China. They let a lot of things go, but I’ll get used to it. I like playing physical, but I just got to pick my battles. Today was more of a feel, but I’m proud of everybody,” he said.
If this game was promising enough, Daghles wonders what more the Tropang Texters could do when Castro finally returns to their fold. And he hopes it would look like how he and his partner Rasheim Wright were running with the Jordanian national team.
“I’m excited to play with him. I want to make his job easier. Whatever this team needs to do, we have a common goal and that’s winning another championship,” Daghles said.
“They put the standards high. By bringing me and Steffphon (Pettigrew) in, Talk ‘N Text expects a championship this conference.” (RL)
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