Ni Edwin Rollon
BAGONG koponan para sa nagsisimulang umaryang career ni Ken Tuffin sa New Zealand. At handang umagapay ang SMART Sports para masubaybayan ng sambayanan ang kanyang mga laro.
Lalaro sa unang pagkakataon ang dating Far Eastern University star para sa hometown team Wellington Saints sa 2021 season ng Sal's New Zealand-National Basketball League.
Mapapanood ang laro ng Saints laban sa Otaga Nuggets sa SMART Sports' official Facebook page (https://web.facebook.com/SMARTSportsPhilippines/) sa Sabado ganap na 3:30 ng hapon.
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Nagsimula ang career ni Tuffin sa liga sa Taranaki Mountainairs, ngunit ang pagnanais na makalaro sa hometown team, sa pangangasiwa ni Saints assistant coach Kenny McFadden ay katuparan ng pangarap sa Filipino-foreigner.
"It's always been a dream to play for my hometown Wellington," pahayag ng 23-anyos, 6-foot-4 swingman, na may averaged 9.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, at 0.9 assists sa Taranaki sa nakalipas na season.
"Our assistant Coach Kenny was the one who introduced me to the game. Furthermore, Coach Kenny was there in the camp when FEU first came over to scout and recruit me in 2015."
Sa Wellington, makakasama ni Tuffin sina dating De La Salle University foreign student-athlete Taane Samuel at Tall Blacks standout Dion Prewster. Kasama sa Saints ang dalawang imports na sina 7-foot-2 Romaro Gill at dating G-League standout Kerwin Roach.
Naging kampeon ang Wellington sa 2019 season, ngunit hindi lumahok sa pinaiksing 2020 season.
"I know my role playing alongside elite one-on-one players like our imports and out captain Dion Prewster. I will always be there to shoot and play D, just picking my spots to shine," pahayag ni Tuffin.
"The Saints are a dominant team. and anything less than a title is considered a disappointment. My goal is to be a star in my role for the champions,” aniya.
Nagpahayag din ng pasasalamat si Tuffin sa suporta ng SMART na maipalabas ang naturang laro para sa Pinoy audience. At nangako siyang hindi bibiguin ang mga tagahanga."I'm really appreciative that SMART can broadcast the games for my friends, family, and supporters back home to watch. Thanks to everyone and want to make you proud,” aniya.
