Norbert Torres stepped up as the Ginebra Gin Kings inched closer to the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
There is always a lengthy adjustment phase for new players learning the triangle system for the first time.
Count Ginebra big man Norbert Torres among them.
Slowly but surely, Torres is getting the hang of playing within the vaunted system that has won coach Tim Cone 25 championships in the league.
That is none more evident in the Gin Kings’ 108-77 thrashing of Terrafirma in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Friday, Dec. 12.
Torres produced 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a block to earn Player of the Game honors.
“My time here with Ginebra, everything has just been an overload of information, but I’ve been handling it really well,” said Torres.
[WATCH: PBA LIVESTREAM: Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings vs Terrafirma Dyip | Philippine Cup]
Torres said the coaching staff had a lot to do with that.
“Coach (Tim) and the coaching staff have been patient with me. I’m happy with that. Them really trusting me and giving me the chance to grow and jell with the guys, with the system, it’s really a treat at this stage of my career,” added the former La Salle big, who signed with the Gin Kings as a free agent before the season.
“I don’t take that for granted. I always try to give my best effort out there.”
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But while Torres had a splendid outing, the rest of Ginebra also stepped up as they inched closer to a quarterfinal berth with their 5-4 record.
Jayson David finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Troy Rosario had 13 and five before being shelved by an ankle issue.
Japeth Aguilar and Sonny Estil added 12 markers apiece and Scottie Thompson put up 10 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals in a duel that was one-sided from the get-go.
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Ginebra raced to a 25-13 start and led by as many as 34 points, 86-52, to which the Dyip simply did not have an answer.
Paolo Hernandez paced Terrafirma with 15 points and Mark Nonoy scored 11 for Terrafirma, which dropped an eight consecutive match for a 1-9 tally to tumble to the lowest rung of the standings at 12th.
Ginebra vs. Terrafirma Scores:
GINEBRA 108 – David 16, Rosario 13, Torres 13, Estil 12, J.Aguilar 12, Thompson 10, Abarrientos 9, Holt 9, Cu 3, R.Aguilar 3, Gray 3, Pinto 2, Adamos 0
TERRAFIRMA 77 – Hernandez 15, Nonoy 11, Sangalang 9, Mariano 8, Bravo 8, Garcia 6, Rivero 4, Hanapi 3, Ahanmisi 2, Catapusan 2, Zaldivar 2, Paraiso 0, Olivario 0, Bataller 0
Quarterscores: 25-13, 52-35, 80-50, 108-77
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.