Five years after he last saw action on Philippine soil, Sammy Monroe is back for something grander.
The former import for the Barako Energy Coffee Masters in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference has returned to the country, this time as a part of Team Doha which is gunning to win the Manila leg of the 2015 FIBA 3×3 World Tour.
“It feels great to be back. I love playing basketball here,” said Monroe.
Playing this time in the 3×3 half-court, the 30-year-old is elated to once again feel the Filipinos’ love for the game.
“There’s not really much difference. I see the fans still love basketball here and it’s a great place to play. It’s pretty much the same and I love it,” he said.
And the 6-foot-6 Monroe doesn’t look like he missed a step though, as he has been a vital part of Doha’s run so far in the Manila Masters.
“I’ve been a high-scorer all my life. I’m used in scoring the basketball,” he said. “Right now, now we’re playing 3×3, it’s a lot better for me because there’s a lot more space on the floor.”
His 16 points through the first day of competitions put him among the top five scorers, enough to propel Doha to the quarterfinals. Those stats in the fast-paced style of 3×3 is just in the line of the outbursts Monroe had in the PBA, where averaged 26.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.47 blocks.
But more than anything else, Monroe is happy to showcase his wares anew in front of adoring Filipino fans.
“The intensity, the screaming, and everybody out here supporting basketball, that’s what I missed a lot,” he said.