Healthy Dozier leading Alaska’s playoff push

Alaska import Rob Dozier shoots a jumper over Meralco forward Cliff Hodge during their game in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Alaska import Rob Dozier admitted he did not expect to be in a position where he would just be a win away from a trip back to the Finals.

Saddled with a plantar fasciitis injury coupled with the stellar showing of replacement import Shane Edwards, the former Best Import sat out the first 10 games and wondered if he would ever play again for the Aces this conference.

“I wasn’t sure if I’m gonna be back healthy. I was really struggling with that. I was losing my confidence because I wasn’t sure, and on top of Shane playing well and helping the team,” said Dozier, who led Alaska to a title in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup.

But his persistence eventually paid off, and in Alaska’s last game in the elimination round, head coach Alex Compton decided to bring Dozier back in the lineup.

“I just stayed positive as much as possible and it worked out,” he said.

Healthy and involved, Dozier is now focused to bring Alaska back to the title picture.

And on Game 3, he showed just that, pouncing Meralco with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks to anchor Alaska’s 92-72 rout on Friday for a 2-1 semifinals series lead.

Dozier is hopeful the Aces will be able to sustain their run as they attempt to close out the Bolts in Game 4 on Monday.

“I know we got one more game and it’s gonna be rough, just like in the past three games,” he said. “It’s gonna be a battle of stamina. We know got tough game come coming up Monday. We’re going to prepare, go get look at the tapes, and see the mistakes we made so we should capitalize on that.”