Ni Ernest Hernandez
KINAPOS man sa pangarap na kampeonato para sa Talk ‘N Text Katropa, hindi malilimot sa kamalayan ng basketball fans ang kakaibang dominasyon ni import Joshua Smith sa katatapos na PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Tinaguriang “Jumbotron” bunsod nang malahiganteng pangangatawan at wangis, ipinamalas ni Smith ang lakas sa inside play na labis na kinagiliwan hindi lamang ng mga tagahanga ng katropa, bagkus maging ang madla.
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Para kay Smith, isang makabuluhang bahagi ng kanyang buhay ang karanasan na makapaglaro sa PBA. At kung mabibigyan ng pagkakataon, nais niyang magbalik-laro.
"My first year in the PBA, I went to the championship," sambit ni Smith.
"We had adversity the whole time I was here. The first series with Meralco and the second series against Ginebra - I really believe in moral victories like that but there were 12 imports right here and there will be two in the championship and I was one of them."
Tunay na hindi malilimot ang kabayanihan ni Smith na naglaro sa kabila nang iniindang pinsala sa mga daliri ng kanang paa.
Gayundin, isinakripisyo niya sa tungkulin na sandigan ang Katropa, sa kabila nang pakikipaglaban ng kanyang maybahay para maisilang ang kanilang panganay sa gabi ng Game 5 ng Finals.
"It has been fun," pahayag ni Smith. "Some ups and downs but the goal at the start of the conference is to get to the championship and we got to the championship. Obviously, we didn't win it but better luck next year,” aniya.
Pinayagan si Smith ng management na daluhan ang kanyang maybahay, ngunit mas pinili niyang maglaro para sa Katropa at sa mga tagahanga ng TNT.
"I'm a dad and it has been weird because obviously all I wanted to do is win a championship but it feels different when you got somebody dependent on. I just hope when my daughter gets older she would say that my Daddy did everything he could and I'm trying to set an example. Win or lose, I get to go back home and I am a winner - I get to see my daughter for the first time."
Nakaantabay na rin ang posibleng kapalit ni Smith at Mike Myers, sandaling ipahinga ng import ang injury. Para kay TNT coach Nash Racela, hindi nagkamali ang TNT na panatilin sa laban si Smith.
"No regrets. It is a collective decision and Joshua is our best bet," pahayag ni Racela.
"If he were 100%, then it could have been a different story. He was feeling a lot better now - a little late - but he will be on top of our list on getting bigger imports,” aniya.
