Hong Kong Eastern’s Ramon Cao during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup game against TNT Tropang Giga. -PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Eastern’s Ramon Cao had some struggles keeping up with PBA Commissioner’s Cup action.
As a visiting team, some of Hong Kong’s players who had no prior experience playing in the PBA needed some time to adjust to the physical activity – and Kao was among them.
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“The PBA is very different. This is my first time playing in the PBA, it’s very physical and that’s the main thing,” Cao said at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday.
READ: PBA: Hong Kong Eastern disappoints debutant TNT
“The physicality in the PBA made me adjust at first but as the games progressed, I learned how to be tougher and play harder in this league.”
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Cao finally found its rhythm and defeated Eastern on TNT 105–84 for its third win in four games.
He proved to be a thorn in the side of Tropang Giga as he finished with 17 points on a 45 percent efficient field goal shooting clip (5-for-11).
Read: PBA: Rain or shine, Hong Kong Eastern’s unbeaten streak ends
The big-bodied forward was also responsible for guarding Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who struggled mightily from the field as he missed 10 of his 22 shots from the floor.
Cao credited his teammates and Eastern’s coaching staff for allowing him to adapt until he regained his momentum in the team’s fourth game.
“I just want to thank my teammates, I give them credit for putting me in a position to really impact the game,” Cao said. , [I] I also want to thank my coaches for believing in me and allowing me to play the way I know how to play.”
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Next up for Eastern is Blackwater on Tuesday at San Juan Arena.
