Meralco Bolts import Allen Durham in the PBA Governors’ Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
MANILA, Philippines—There’s still work to be done for Allen Durham in getting back to prime shape for Meralco but it’s been so far, so good for the Bolts’ resident import.
Durham played like his old self in Meralco’s 109-99 win over Northport in Group A of the PBA Governors’ Cup but the basketball journeyman said he was far from satisfied.
“[I’m] still not there yet but with each day that comes in, I’m getting better and more confident with the guys. This is a marathon, not a race and when I get there, we’ll be a pretty good team,” said Durham at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday.
READ: PBA: Allen Durham has triumphant Meralco return: ‘It felt right’
“My teammates were finding me in the right positions… Our goal is to just maintain and try to keep getting wins.”
Durham finished just an assist shy of a triple-double with 34 points, 16 rebounds and nine dimes in the victory that put the Bolts to a 3-1 record.
He did the heavy lifting for Meralco, which had a lineup that lacked Allein Maliksi, Aaron Black, Norbert Torres and Raymond Almazan, who all sat out due to the injury bug.
READ: Returning Durham glad Meralco now knows winning feeling
The former Japanese B.League import reiterated that with a depleted lineup, it will be crucial to give importance to conditioning as well as his pursuit of finding his tip-top shape.
“With this tough stretch of games so close together, we have to give way with preparation, our bodies fresh and recovery. That’ll be the biggest thing for us but I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Durham said.
Durham and the Bolts look to keep their momentum going when they face Converge on Wednesday at Araneta Coliseum.