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Veteran Star forward Marc Pingris wants to see more production from import Kris Acox, who has been subpar in the Hotshots’ semifinals series against the Meralco Bolts.
Through two games, Acox only has had little to show on offense, averaging just 8 points on 35% shooting from the field.
“As an import, I’m not satisfied,” Pingris said in Filipino after Star suffered a 98-74 beatdown in Game 2 Tuesday night.
Acox is known for his rebounding and that’s also the primary reason why Star opted to replace the prolific scorer Malcolm Hill.
He is posting 14 boards a game in the semis. But with the situation that his team is in, he needs to do more than that if the Hotshots would keep their season alive in Game 3 on Thursday.
On the other hand, Allen Durham is playing like the reigning Best Import and is showing why he’s tipped to win the award again.
Durham has been nothing short but menacing, averaging 22 points, 24 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the semis.
But the Hotshots’ woes aren’t just due to Acox’s poor play.
Pingris said the locals should also step up.
In Game 2, Star only had two players in double-digit scoring with Mark Barroca tallying 16 points. The other was Mon Abundo, the third-string point guard, who got extended playing time with Paul Lee nursing a left knee injury.
“We also need to help him (Acox). It shouldn’t be just all him. The locals also need to help out,” said Pingris, who also has his fair share of struggles in the series, averaging 4.5 points and 5.5 rebounds.
“It’s going to be hard [to win in Game 3] but we’re going to try. It’s really going to be tough.”