Joshua Smith on his slow start: I was holding back

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TNT import Joshua Smith said his slow start in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals wasn’t because of Barangay Ginebra’s defense.

The hefty Smith said he just didn’t want to force anything and only wanted to play his kind of game.

He did in the second half, where he was unstoppable, exploding for 29 points after scoring only six points in the first two quarters.

READ: Gamble on Smith to give TNT better chance at beating top teams

“I’m just glad we won. It was a tough game, a hard game. They’re a good team and they have the crowd in there. I’m just glad we pulled it out,” he said.

“I was holding myself back. One thing is, you know with the refs, I just gotta focus and I gotta play my game. I gotta know going out there that they’re not gonna help me and I can only help myself by playing good.”

Smith finished with a game-high 35 points on 16-of-22 shooting from the field on top of 13 rebounds in less than 29 minutes off the bench.

READ: Smith unstoppable as TNT clips Ginebra, takes Game 1

He also had four assists as he found open teammates with Ginebra sending two or threw guys in hopes of containing the 6-foot-8, 300-pound import.

“I feel like anytime [I see] the double coverage coming, I just see it in myself to score but it’s all about making the right basketball play. If they triple team me that means somebody else in my team is open so I kick out for the shot.”