Jamaal Franklin’s return to the PBA with the Converge FiberXers was supposed to be the spark the Delta Pineda-helmed squad needs. Instead, the team absorbed a stunning defeat as Rey Nambatac delivered a game-winning three for a 110-107 escape act by the undermanned TNT Tropang 5G.
But the loss certainly wasn’t Franklin’s fault. The 35-year-old finished with 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists even as he battled both jet lag and lack of sleep.
“It was a good game, [I’m] definitely a little tired, jet lag, I’ve only been in here for like 30 hours, been up since five this morning, so I tried to give everything that I could for the team,” Franklin told reporters after the game on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Everything in this case included 14 points in the final 16 minutes of the game, with the last four coming off free throws that tied the contest at 107. He also had a four-point shot and a four-point play.
Franklin’s Biggest Adjustment? Not Being at 100%
When asked about his biggest adjustment in returning to the league, Franklin admitted that he was not feeling well before the game because of the lack of rest. Even so, he still pushed through the adversity.
“Trying to get as much rest as possible. I’ve been up since five this morning, got here at 4:15 [p.m.], the game before was a little delayed. Bout time it was game time, I was a little tired,” Franklin explained.
Tired as he was, the veteran still went all out in order to give Converge the win.
“Like I said, I’ma give everything I got for my teammates every day,” he related. “Just having motivation to give everything that I got to try to win is what pushed me through.”
Franklin and the FiberXers will have a short turnaround as they next face the unbeaten NLEX Road Warriors on August 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena. By then, Franklin will probably be 100% ready.
