TNT import Smith day-to-day as SMB Finals series looms

TNT import Joshua Smith said Saturday he’ll be on a day-to-day basis as the KaTropa prepare for their PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals series against San Miguel.

Smith tore the ligament in his right big toe in Game 3 of TNT’s semifinals series against Ginebra but he was able to play in Game 4 where he helped the KaTropa to a 122-109 series-clinching win.

“I have no idea,” said Smith after being asked if he’ll be able to play on Wednesday against the Beermen. “We’ll go to practice on Monday, and we’ll see but right now we’ll take it day-by-day.”

Smith played a thread under 10 minutes in their Game 3 125-101 loss to Ginebra but he played longer Saturday with 21 minutes to put up 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting.

Smith said that when he injured his foot, he told his teammates that he had two options. “It was either I just go home or try to play one more game with them.”

TNT head coach Nash Racela couldn’t help but admire the guts his import has shown after getting injured.

“I think he sacrificed a lot for this game, I know he’s hurting and I don’t really know what extent but knowing how important this game is, he decided to play,” said Racela. “He said ‘I was hurting, but it will hurt me more if I don’t play,’ and that’s the heart of a champion.”