The NLEX Road Warriors chalked up their third straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday with a 99-88 triumph over the Blackwater Bossing at Ynares Center in Antipolo. And one of the big reasons behind the Road Warriors’ victory was JB Bahio, who put up a career-best 23 points on top of 6 rebounds and 2 assists to nab Best Player of the Game honors.
It was another showcase of Bahio’s ever-improving game, and Jong Uichico has taken notice.
“Padagdag siya ng padagdag,” Uichico said about the former San Beda Red Lion after the Blackwater game. “Sabi ko nga, nung last Player of the Game niya, we got him primarily for rebounding purposes, and he developed himself as a threat. That’s not because of me, that’s because he works hard in practice in trying to develop his game para makipag-compete siya sa ibang malalaki sa liga.”
He’s competing all right, and he’s in the midst of a superb conference, leading NLEX in points (15.2) and rebounds (8.8) while also adding 1.8 assists and nearly a steal and a block a game. In other words, Bahio is contributing so much more than just rebounding, and it has helped the Road Warriors immensely.
Bahio Playing Within Himself, Credits Uichico’s System
While he’s posting career numbers, Bahio remains grounded, crediting Uichico’s democratic offense and his veteran playmakers, Robert Bolick and Kevin Alas, for his early success this conference.
“Nata-timingan rin siguro sa sistema ni coach,” Bahio pointed out. “‘Yung mga pwesto ko, ‘yung mga drop passes nina Kuya Berto [Bolick], nina Kuya Kev [Alas]… pulot-pulot lang. Paminsan-minsan nagwa-one-on-one.”
The 6-foot-5 forward might be selling himself short a little here, but the results speak for themselves. Aside from posting a career-best 23 points, Bahio also shot 11-for-15 from the field, hiking his shooting percentage for the conference to 60.4%. And Uichico knows exactly why that’s the case.
“Kelangan ng isang player ng kumpiyansa,” Uichico told reporters. “It’s not like tinitira niya ‘yung hindi niya kayang i-shoot. Ang tinitira niya, ‘yung kaya niyang i-shoot…”
Clearly, JB Bahio is one confident young man—and that confidence is showing on the court.
