No distractions for Raymond Almazan as PBA Finals set to begin

Meralco big man Raymond Almazan. INQUIRER PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO

MANILA, Philippines—Raymond Almazan has no room for distractions as he prepares for the PBA Governors’ Cup finals between Meralco and Barangay Ginebra.

Almazan, who was traded to Meralco at the end of the Philippine Cup, has so far filled the team’s lack for a big man and that helped Bolts get to the finals of the Governors’ Cup for the third time in four years.

Being a one-time champion with Rain or Shine in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup, Almazan said he’s eager to give back to the team that traded for him and also help the Bolts get their first title in franchise history.

Almazan has minimized social media use to avoid distractions heading into the series that will start on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I’m super focused for the games that I don’t go on social media or do anything that can distract me from the finals,” said Almazan in Filipino during the pre-finals press conference Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I don’t go on social media that often and I just stay at home and rest. I’m preparing hard for this. I’m ready.”

Meralco, who fell to Ginebra in both of their finals meetings, usually found the difficulty matching up with the Gin Kings’ size.

The aging but still effective Ranidel de Ocampo and Reynel Hugnatan usually took on the challenge of posting up against Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter while import Allen Durham has his hands full guarding Justin Brownlee.

The addition of Almazan gave the Bolts an interior presence even though they don’t have a hulking center like Slaughter, they could always rely on their wings to speed things up and drag the 7-footer to the perimeter.

“At least now, we are able to patch that hole in the middle of the paint because people are always saying that the trade for me was a blessing for the team,” said Almazan, who has averaged 11.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks.

“After two conferences of being here, we’re able to reach the finals and it was a good sign for me that we were able to get back to the championship round and I hope we get the title.”