Challenged by coach, Al-Hussaini steps up

Rabeh Al-Hussaini. PBA IMAHES

Even coach Norman Black was surprised with the way Rabeh Al-Hussaini performed on Friday.

Active all night long, the former Rookie of the Year racked up 14 points, two rebounds, and two blocks to help Meralco score the 98-87 win over TNT.

“This is probably his best game in a long time tonight. He was very stable tonight as far as his performance is concerned,” said the mentor. “He wasn’t in a hurry. He took what the defense gave him. And defensively, he was good tonight.”

But for the Fil-Kuwaiti center, it’s just a matter of stepping up to the plate.

“I had to step up,” he said, as he faced against veteran Kelly Williams and younger big men Troy Rosario and Mo Tautuaa.

With not much expectations, Al-Hussaini has been a silent steady contributor for the Bolts this 2017 PBA Philippine Cup.

“Last game, I really struggled and I knew I had to focus with the way the game is being played,” he said.

“We’re doing well in practice. It just had to translate in the games and I’m thankful we were effective today.”

And it just bodes well with the challenge laid out to him by Black, as he tries to remind everyone of the potential he once had.

“We’re working on my game. Coach Norman also expects me to step up because if I don’t, I won’t play at all,” he said. “That’s my goal, to be consistent. I know slowly, we’re improving and I’m glad with that.”