Martinez gets going for Phuket. Photo courtesy of Thailand Basketball League
Martinez shines as Phuket makes waves in TBL
DEFENDING champion Phuket Waves made it two wins in a row as they escaped Similan Black Fox, 85-80, in the Thailand Basketball League (TBL) at the Chandrakasem Rajabhat University in Bangkok, Thailand.
Former PBA player-turned-playing coach James Martinez provided the knockout punch for the Waves, finishing with 34 points on 12-of-24 shooting, four assists, three rebounds and three steals in 40 minutes of action.
Unhurian Vladyslav added 20 points and nine rebounds and another Filipino player Wowie Escosio contributed 11 points, four rebounds and three assists for the Phuket-based team.
Patrick Tchuente had a double-double performance with 10 points and 10 rebounds while Nanthanan Seangsuriya chipped in seven points and eight rebounds.
“Happy ako na nag-step up lahat at sobrang blessed na rin na patuloy ako na nakakalaro at a high level. Pinu-push ko talaga para umabot kami sa leg 2” said Martinez, who also played for the University of East in the UAAP.
“Lagi ko nga inuulit yung malaking pasasalamat sa mga sumusuporta at naniniwala sa amin. Nagpapasalamat ako kina boss Jet Maronilla ng MC Sports, Dennis Chiang of DCG Steel, John Rosagas ng Uratex, Big Boy Lee ng IV Vitamin Bar, Three Points Sublimation at Sprinto Shades ni Pawlo Misolas,” added Martinez, who rose to prominence during his playing days with the Powerade Tigers in the PBA from 2011-2012.
Martinez said the Waves are getting ready for their next match.
“Next game against Korat CK T-Rex, pareho kaming gusto manalo kaya ibubuhos namin yun makakaya namin para makuha ulit yun panalo at gawin tatlong sunod na ito.” added Martinez, who was selected as the No. 18 overall pick by Barangay Ginebra in the 2011 PBA Draft.
Mark Yu led the losing effort of the Black Fox with 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists while RJ Deles added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The scores:
Phuket Waves(85) — Martinez 34, Vladyslav 20, Escosio 11, Tchuente 10, Seansuriya 7, Athiarpanon 2, Ngrnrungreangrot 1, Chaisuttimetheekul 0, Sangthong 0.
Similan Black Fox (80) — Yu 25, Deles 16, Amparkham 14, Djaruwat 12, Edok 6, Naenphanao 4, Samwang 2, Ferdinand 1.
Quarterscores: 18-21, 42-41, 60-64, 85-80.
