With new career best, Almazan credits coach for giving him confidence

Raymon Almazan. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

He may have reached a milestone in his career Friday night, but for Raymond Almazan, it was just another day in the office.

Almazan put up a career-high 26 points with 12 rebounds and two blocks in Rain or Shine’s 104-94 victory over Blackwater in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, but the five-year veteran just shrugged it off like it was no big deal.

“That’s nothing, it’s just the team is on a roll right now,” said Almazan in Filipino Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With the win, the Elasto Painters locked up a spot in the quarterfinals and Almazan said their 7-1 run in the conference is all thanks to the confidence head coach Caloy Garcia has given the team.

“Coach Caloy just gives us this confidence and everything starts in practice,” said Almazan who scored 21 points in the first half.

Another factor in Almazan’s stellar play in the Commissioner’s Cup is his frontcourt partnership with Reggie Johnson.

Almazan, who is averaging 17.63 points and 9.5 rebounds, has formed a lethal frontcourt partnership with Johnson who’s put up 23.75 points, 17.63 rebounds, and 4.25 assists.

“It’s so nice to have Reggie in the paint, and he’s not the type of player that will be frustrated when you don’t give him the ball,” said Almazan. “Another thing is he’s unlike some of our previous imports that get lazy when we trail in the game.”

“Reggie’s the one who will encourage you when the going gets tough and he’ll always say ‘come on team, let’s go!’ so there’s that willingness in him.”