EASL: Ryukyu head coach napabilib sa laro ni Chris Newsome

Sa laban ng Meralco Bolts at Ryukyu Golden Kings kagabi, Enero 22, sa East Asia Super League (EASL) nagwaging muli ang Golden Kings, 89-71, sa Philsports Arena sa Pasig, mayroong isang pangalan ang sumikat – ito ay si Chris Newsome.

Sa isang post-game interview, sinabi ni Ryukyu head coach Dai Oketani na ang Meralco ay isang magaling na koponan na may mahuhusay na mga manlalaro, lalo na ang kanilang team captain na si Chris Newsome.

“He is really, really, a good player. It was really difficult for us to stop him,” ani Oketani.

Buong kapakumbabaan namang nagpasalamat si Newsome sa papuring ibinigay sa kanya ng Japanese coach.

“I’m humbled by the comment and by the respect I’ve earned from the other coaches. I mean, I guess that just confirms that I’m doing the right thing as a player,” saad ni Newsome.

Ibinahagi din ng former Ateneo alumnus na anumang oras na maglalaro siya sa hardcourt, asahang ibibigay niya ang lahat. 

Sinabi din ni Newsome na gusto niyang laging nasa top form, dahil ito ang ugaling kinalakihan niya.

“You know, anytime I get to step on the floor, I never take it for granted. I’m going to give you my best. It doesn’t matter if I’m wearing the Meralco jersey or Gilas Pilipinas jersey. I’m going to give you my best, and that’s just how I was raised, how I was brought up,” dagdag pa ni Newsome.

Ayon pa sa dating PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup Finals MVP na ito aniya ay maituturing niyang isang mapagpakumbabang karanasan na kinilala ng kanilang kalabang koponan na  kanyang nakalaro.

“And for others to see that and to be recognized for that, it’s definitely humbling. And, you know, I take that with respect for them as well. So to have that compliment from one of the greatest coaches in Japan and just from the Japanese community, it’s definitely an honor,” pagtatapos ni Newsome. 

Matatandaang si Newsome ay nakapag-ambag ng 12 points, five assists, three rebounds, one steal, at isang block kagabi.

Ang Meralco Bolts ngayon ay nasa sitwasyong dapat manalo laban naman sa New Taipei Kings sa Pebrero 12 sa Taiwan upang makakuha ng pwesto sa EASL Final Four.