Raymar Jose suits up for Kaohsiung Truth. Photo from ASEAN Basketball League Facebook/Onvisa Thewphaingarm
Kaohsiung Truth coach Tryston Lawrence was satisfied with the way new imports Raymar Jose and Achie Iñigo fared in their debut last Sunday.
“I love them both. Both of them played great,” he said after the Taiwanese bowed to Alab Pilipinas, 93-87, at Olivarez College in Parañaque.
“Raymar is a ball of energy but he hurt us when he got into foul trouble,” the American mentor said. “I wish he could have been on the floor more.”
Jose finished with 12 points and seven rebounds in his 11 minutes on the floor, but was saddled in foul trouble all game long before fouling out with five minutes remaining.
Iñigo, meanwhile, eventually found his rhythm late as he wound up with four markers on a 2-of-8 shooting clip, on top of eight assists.
“Achie is a floor general. He gets us into our offense and I like to see him be a little more aggressive. I like to see his offensive ability a little bit more. But then, it will come once he gets comfortable with us on the floor,” the coach said.
For the duo’s efforts, Kaosiung has already decided to extend their deal to one-season contracts.
Lawrence believes that with more acclimation, the former Far Eastern Tamaraws will eventually settle in with the rest of the Truth.
Fortunately, Kaohsiung will have a little less than a month before springing back to action against Saigon Heat next year.
“Hopefully, in the next two to three weeks, we have time off and get some time together, we can get to see how good they can be for us in general,” said Lawrence.