DJ Kennedy victorious in PBA debut for Meralco as stand-in import
MANILA, Philippines—Meralco’s import replacement for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup DJ Kennedy gave the Bolts a timely jolt in the win over Terrafirma at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday.
However, it didn’t come instantly for Kennedy, who came in as a replacement of the Bolts’ primary import for Akil Mitchell.
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After scoring just three points in the first half, Kennedy was given a huge pep talk by coach Luigi Trillo and Meralco’s coaching staff at the half before his second half explosion.
READ: PBA: Meralco bucks Terrafirma uprising to go 3-0
“I talked to coach Nenad (Vucinic) and said even if he has four or five fouls, leave him in so he gets his flow… DJ’s special. He’s been around the world, he’s played in Europe a lot. He has a lot of composure,” said Trillo after their 96-91 win over Dyip.
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“It’s hard for a guy like him to come in and play right away. Key for him is flow. I think this year, he’s probably only had three games so this is good for him because we need him to get some game time in preparation for the EASL as well.”
Kennedy showed that flow, indeed, was key as he got his rhythm in the latter part of the game and finished with 32 points.
READ: PBA: Meralco gets timely boost from returning Aaron Black
The Bolts’ resident import in the East Asia Super League (EASL) also stayed efficient during his second half heroics as he registered a 53.3 percent field goal shooting clip while snagging six rebounds, four assists and a steal to match in the dub that sent the Bolts to an unblemished 3-0 record.
However, Kennedy, himself, wasn’t too ecstatic with the dub and said the squad could’ve done better in terms of closing out the hapless Terrafirma squad, which is currently winless after three games.
“We have to do a better job in finishing [games] because I take responsibility for closing out the game and I know my guys feel the same way.”
Up next for the Bolts is Blackwater on Thursday at the same venue in Pasay.