Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Playing for the first time in Asia, John Fields is playing with a chip on his shoulder as he tries to prove his mettle in his initial foray in the PBA.
“Coming to the PBA, I had to prove that I belong,” said Fields, who replaced CJ Aiken as Columbian’s import earlier this year.
Fields, 30, sent strong statement in his 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup debut tallying 39 points, 16 rebounds, and two assists for Columbian.
However, those efforts were for naught as the Dyip got waylaid by Alaska, 134-103, on Friday.
The former Tennessee stalwart didn’t deny that the defeat was a dampener on what he envisioned would be a fruitful journey in this continent.
“You always you want to win and play good on your debut,” he said.
That makes Fields all the more motivated to bounce back stronger as he hopes to jell better with his Columbian teammates.
“The team is just getting adjusted to me. I could’ve been better. I struggled from the free throw line and I’ll get better and efficient, know where my shots are coming from, and know how to play the offense,” he said. “You just got to go back and look at film, and see what we could’ve done better.”
Fields, though, is confident it won’t take long for him and his teammates to get their bearings back.
“Coach wanted a certain player who can put the ball in the basket from any angle — low post, drive, and wherever. I feel like I didn’t disrupt the chemistry, so I think we’ll just have to bounce back game,” he said.
Columbian eyes to rebound against Rain or Shine on Wednesday.