PBA: It’s the Finals [and] I’m ready to rumble with anyone at Ginebra – Raymond Almazan

By Jonas Terrado

A burning question in the upcoming PBA Governors’ Cup Finals is whether Raymond Almazan can provide the inside presence Meralco needs in order to match up with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s frontline duo of Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar.

Almazan is of the opinion that he is.

The 6-foot-8 center is confident he can be the equalizer the Bolts lacked in their two previous Finals defeats to Ginebra, even if he’s coming off a rough showing in the recent semifinal series with TNT KaTropa.

“Sana makabawi ako sa Finals. Hindi ko iniisip yung semis kasi panalo naman kami,” Almazan said.

“Alam naman natin na naghahanap yung Meralco ng big man, matagal na,” added Almazan, who was acquired by Meralco from Rain or Shine in a trade last May. “Sa presence ko siguro, makakatulong ako this coming Finals.”

Almazan was one of the reasons Meralco made its way to the Finals for the third time in the last four editions of the Governors’ Cup, bouncing back from the struggles in his debut conference for the team in the Commissioner’s Cup with averages of 11.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.

But Almazan was hardly a factor in the semis as he only produced 4.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. He had six turnovers in Game 4 but was fortunate to see the Bolts force a deciding game.

The six-year veteran admitted that facing a TNT frontline led by Troy Rosario has made it difficult for him to match up, given Rosario’s knack to play more in the perimeter.

He is glad, however, that Cliff Hodge was able to make up for what he’s lacked during the hard-fought series.

“Medyo masama yung laro ko noong Game 4 at Game 5,” he said. “Ayun lumabas si Cliff na sobrang energetic and then talagang nakakasabay kasi ang problema namin is yung bigs ng TNT sobrang bibilis at siya ang nakaka-catch up.”

With the focus now on Ginebra, Almazan will have to make sure he can pose a difficult challenge for Slaughter and Aguilar, who are expected to play prominent roles in their bid to deal Meralco another heartbreaking loss in the big stage.

He has tasted winning a championship before, as a member of Rain or Shine’s run in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup under coach Yeng Guiao.

“Gusto ko yun kasi talagang mga big man yun e. Masasabi mong matchup yung finals,” said Almazan. “Kung sinong kukuhanin ko, wala akong pakialam. Finals is Finals e.”

Source: Manila Bulletin