December 09, 2024

What does guest team Eastern think about the PBA's 4-point line?

What does guest team Eastern think about the PBA
Steven Guinchard drains a quadruple in Eastern's match against Converge in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Friday, Nov. 29. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

When Steven Guinchard made a shot from the four-point line, his Eastern teammates went into a frenzy. 

That made Guinchard feel good too. 

“It feels good, especially looking back at my teammates and seeing them celebrate and being happy for me. [It] makes me want to make even more four-point shots,” said Guinchard after his team held off Converge, 117-106, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate Friday night, Nov. 29. 

The French gunner made two from that range on his way to 14 points to help the guest squad preserve a 2-0 record in the mid-season conference.

[RELATED STORY: Eastern turns to Cameron Clark to weather late Converge storm]

While it felt liberating to connect from the four-point range, Guinchard said he is not exactly looking for it. 

Coach Mensur Bajramovic told them so. 

Bajramovic did not seem like a fan of the line, knowing it could confuse his players.

“Actually, we’re not looking for four-point shots. We didn’t practice with this line. I was afraid to be confused about lines,” the Bosnian coach said in a previous interview.

[ALSO READ: Kyrie Irving believes PBA’s 4-point line will give space for ‘creativity’ in basketball]


Steven Guinchard reacts after nailing a four-pointer in Eastern's second game against Converge in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Friday, Nov. 29. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

Hayden Blankley echoed his sentiment. 

“Like coach said, it was not something I’m going to be looking for in my game… Maybe, worst case scenario, if we need a four-point, that’s helpful,” said Blankley, who was also part of the Bay Area Dragons team that wound up second in the Commissioner’s Cup two seasons ago.

[ALSO READ: PBA’s new four-point line draws mixed reactions from players, coaches]

For Guinchard, it is highly likely he will try hitting from that range during the course of the conference. 

“Our coach didn’t want to focus on that, but if it comes, then, yeah. If it’s open, we shoot it,” said Guinchard, who is married to a Filipina. 

Eastern flies to Hong Kong to play in a local league before returning in time for its next PBA duel against TNT on Friday, Dec. 6. 

Game time is at 7:30 p.m. in the same Malate venue. 

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