MANILA, Philippines—Omar Samhan isn’t exactly a coach’s dream, but he’s definitely good as advertised.
The defense-oriented 6-foot-11 was a low-post workhorse on both ends, scoring 24 points and 20 rebounds on top of four blocks as Talk ‘N Text subdued Meralco, 102-96, in overtime Friday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“He’s not athletic, he’s not flashy and his game is not pleasing to the eye,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes of his import who practiced with the Tropang Texters four times without a single tune-up game before going to the battle field.
“But he has a high basketball IQ and he came out tonight with his defensive presence, which was important to us,” added Reyes.
The Tropang Texters were coming off a three-week vacation after adding another piece of valuable hardware to their trophy room with the Philippine Cup.
But the layoff hardly showed as Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams shook off the rust with a conference-opening victory that stretched TNT’s unbeaten run against the Bolts to five games since Meralco joined the league last season.
Castro drilled a go-ahead three-pointer for a 97-96 edge, snapping TNT’s 0-of-4 shooting in the extra period.
The Tropang Texters could have secured it in regulation but Chris Ross spun in the lane and threw a prayer over Castro with five seconds left that trickled in and forged extra time.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra and Alaska tangle in the Phoenix PBA On Tour tonight at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.