PROFESSIONALS are ready for anything.
TNT KaTropa rookie Sidney Onwubere made full use of the chances he was given by coach Nash Racela to stamp his mark in their game against the Alaska Aces.
He did not see action against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters but got a chance to showcase his skills in his team’s second game.
The eighth overall pick in this year’s Philippine Basketball Association Drat got his baptism of fire as he played extended minutes for the KaTropa, logging 28 minutes in the victory over the Aces on Friday at the Astrodome.
Onwubere didn’t score all that much but he gave the KaTropa energy on both ends to finish with six points, nine rebounds and a steal as he came off the bench.
The rookie got his chance to play with injured Anthony Semerad and Alex Nuyles riding the pine.
Onwubere said he was aware that he was not used during their last game. He said that maybe the coaches saw that he still lacked something. He said that he made up his mind to work harder at practice to show what he could do.
He said he was thankful the coaches acknowledged all his efforts and gave him the playing time to show what he could do on the playing court.
TNT big men Troy Rosario and Mo Tautuaa caught fire to pile on the points to beat the Aces. But Onwubere was there to do a yeoman’s job at both ends to help his team to victory.