(PBA image)
Meralco import Marvin Jones took the hits and the challenge in stride, even as the Bolts absorbed a 109-102 loss to Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jones got a firsthand taste of the Elasto Painters’ trademark physical game, but the veteran reinforcement made it clear he had no issue with the rough-and-tumble battle.
“I just think that’s the way they play out here. They play physical. In Europe, they play physical too. For me, that’s just basketball,” Jones said after the game.
For Jones, the bigger difference was not just Rain or Shine’s physicality, but the energy and urgency the Elasto Painters brought from start to finish.
“They just played with more energy, they got out of transition every time and played tougher defense than us,” he added.
Despite facing relentless pressure all night, Jones still delivered a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds. He, however, found it tough to get into an efficient rhythm offensively, converting just seven of his 17 attempts from the field.
Meralco now looks to quickly regroup, with Jones expected to recover in time for the Bolts’ next assignment against Titan Ultra on Sunday, also at the Big Dome.