Coach Tim suprised Sol Mercado with his defensive assignment just right before the start of Game 2
If you say import, he must be matched up against another import or a legit bigman in PBA. But in case of Ginebra, it was different.
After exploding for 46 points in Game 1, Allen Durham was contained for only 22 points in almost 41 minutes of playing time.
He was not guarded by Justin Brownlee (Import of Ginebra) or not even Japeth Aguilar. He was mainly guarded by the 6'0 feet tall Sol Mercado.
Sol gives away 6+ inches in terms of height but it seems that Durham was uncomfortable facing Sol as he shoot only 10 out of 24 shots.
But this defensive assignment was extremely suprising for Sol as he only knew it before the game.
"I was suprised actually, Coach Tim told me before the game that I'm going to guard Allen and I just took the challenge. From the beginning I started with Durham, just trying to get him out of his spots. I tried fronting him and run him out of the perimeter, he's a good player", Mercado said after they won 82 to 79 in Game 2 of the Finals.
Also Coach Tim Cone said that "You've gotta give the credit to Sol, He's our MVP tonight."
After exploding for 46 points in Game 1, Allen Durham was contained for only 22 points in almost 41 minutes of playing time.
He was not guarded by Justin Brownlee (Import of Ginebra) or not even Japeth Aguilar. He was mainly guarded by the 6'0 feet tall Sol Mercado.
Sol gives away 6+ inches in terms of height but it seems that Durham was uncomfortable facing Sol as he shoot only 10 out of 24 shots.
But this defensive assignment was extremely suprising for Sol as he only knew it before the game.
"I was suprised actually, Coach Tim told me before the game that I'm going to guard Allen and I just took the challenge. From the beginning I started with Durham, just trying to get him out of his spots. I tried fronting him and run him out of the perimeter, he's a good player", Mercado said after they won 82 to 79 in Game 2 of the Finals.
Also Coach Tim Cone said that "You've gotta give the credit to Sol, He's our MVP tonight."
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