Game Today
(Tubod, Lanao del Norte)
5 p.m. – Star vs Globalport
Tony Mitchell hopes to impress fans down south as the Star Hotshots shoot for their second victory tonight against the Globalport Batang Pier in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
The former Detroit Pistons player dazzled in his debut last Wednesday, scoring 24 points with 16 rebounds to give the Hotshots a 101-82 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mitchell lived up to his billing as the most explosive import of the current batch, something he hopes to continue in the Petron Saturday Special game set at 5 p.m.
“We want out with a bang and came up with a win. That’s more important,” Mitchell said after Wednesday’s win. “It was an okay win for us. But we need to keep practicing hard and keep on competing, keep playing.”
So far, Mitchell, who also had stints in the NBA D-League before coming over, has drawn rave reviews from Star coach Chito Victolero and the rest of the team.
“I’m very happy kasi yun yung inaasahan namin sa kanya,” said Victolero. “He is very active especially on defense.
Makikita niyo rin na hindi niya pinepuwersa yung opensa.”
“Si Tony ‘pag nasa practice, hindi niya gano pinapakita kung anu mang meron siya,” added Hotshots guard Mark Barroca.
“Kaya nga nagugulat kami na biglang tumitira ng three-points. Hindi niya talaga ginagawa sa ensayo yan.
“Sabi nga namin, ‘Mayroon pala to’. Tinatago lang niya talaga. Nag-promise naman siya sa amin na pag laro na talaga, buhos na talaga siya.”
While Mitchell gave an impressive opening act, Batang Pier import Sean Williams looks to rebound from his so-so performance in their 107-79 loss to the Alaska Aces exactly a week ago at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Williams, who played three seasons for the New Jersey Nets, produced 18 points and 19 rebounds but struggled against the Aces.
The good news for Globalport is that Terrence Romeo, the league’s top scorer at 28 points per game, returns to action after missing the game because of sickness.