PBA Finals: Bolts’ Raymond Almazan’s Game 4 went to naught, but eager to finish series

By Jan Carlo Anolin

Raymond Almazan made a surprising appearance and showed promise in Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at the Smart Coliseum despite nursing a left knee injury.

However, the 6-foot-8 Meralco center saw his efforts go to naught after Ginebra handed Meralco a 94-72 beating Wednesday night.

Almazan had 12 points, nine rebounds and a block in 27:51 minutes of play but his heroics weren’t enough. Even three-time Best Import Allen Durham with a stat line of 21 points, 27 rebounds and seven assists couldn’t get the win for the Bolts.

“Sabi ko sa mga teammates ko, wala na dapat pusong mamon sa amin,” Almazan told reporters. “The more na pinapagalitan ka, the more na dapat nag-step up ka mismo.”

A frustrated Almazan said he kept on reminding his teammates to go all-out in the Finals series and not to play as if they are still in the playoffs race.

He added that Meralco management is expecting a good series not a debacle.

Meralco went 32 of 86 (37.2 %) from the field and only shot 3 out of 26 from beyond the arc.

“Parang ayaw natin maglaro today, sana binigay na lang natin sa Ginebra ‘yung trophy. Kasi nagpapakahirap tayo tapos ganito lang lalaruin natin,” Almazan told his teammates.

Despite being down 3-1, Almazan is determined to finish the series and said the Bolts will give their best to bounce back in Game 5.

Cautious of his injury, the former Letran Knights hotshot needed to check from time to time if the pain still lingers on his left knee.

Defeat on Friday would mean the Bolts’ next change of upending the Kings will be in the All-Filipino Conference next season.

“’Yung mga ganung dapat na ginagawa mo sa court, ginagawa mo na ngayon – as in ngayon kasi wala nang susunod,” Almazan said.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin