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 in keeping up with the action of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
As a guest team, some Hong Kong players who had no prior experience in playing in the PBA needed some time to adjust to the physical action–and among those was Cao.
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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,” said Cao at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday.
READ: PBA: Hong Kong Eastern frustrates debuting TNT
“The physicality in the PBA made me adjust at first but as the games went on, I kind of picked up how to be tougher and play harder in this league.”
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Cao seemed to finally find his groove as he powered Eastern past TNT, 105-84, to get their third win in four games.
He proved to be a thorn in the Tropang Giga’s side after finishing with 17 points on an efficient 45 percent field goal shooting clip (5-for-11).
READ: PBA: Rain or Shine ends Hong Kong Eastern’s unbeaten streak
The big-bodied forward was also responsible for guarding Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who struggled heavily 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 got his pace in the squad’s fourth game.
“I just want to thank my teammates, I give credit to them for putting me in a position to truly impact the game,” said Cao. “ [I] also want to thank my coaches for trusting me and allowing me to play the way I know how to play.”
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Up next for Eastern is Blackwater on Tuesday at San Juan Arena.
