It's still too early, but Franklin is making a case as the best import of this tournament—so far.
To say the Converge FiberXers made the right choice in bringing in Jamaal Franklin is an understatement.
The import switcheroo after just one game is looking like a stroke of genius for the FiberXers, who find themselves at 4-0 thanks mostly to another command performance from Franklin. The former San Diego State standout did it all again in his third game in the PBA, recording 25 points, 13 rebounds, 15 assists, and 2 steals to lead Converge to a 112-98 blowout of the winless Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
As he did against the Terrafirma Dyip and the Magnolia Hotshots before, Franklin controlled the game for Converge with elite playmaking, mostly scoring whenever he pleased and finding his open teammates with pinpoint passing. Franklin was so in control that he seemed to just be toying with the Rain or Shine defense at times, making his defenders fall on cross-over step backs and dishing out no-looks and look-aways.
The 41st overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft, though, gave all the credit to his teammates and the Converge coaching staff post-game, and even acknowledged Rain or Shine’s defense.
“Coach [Aldin Ayo] stressed that the bigs would be open today. They [Elasto Painters] did a good job making sure I couldn’t shoot the ball and just find the open pass,” said Franklin. “Justin [Arana] had one hell of a game, Abu [Tratter] had a productive game coming in. I had 15 assists, but I can’t make an assist without my teammates making the shots, so the credit goes to them.”
Ayo, however, was not surprised one bit.
“It’s his game. [He is] a complete player,” said Ayo of his prized reinforcement. “He can shoot, he can orchestrate the offense, [and] he’s very unselfish. He loves to crash the boards also if needed.”
Yes, Franklin did all that again against Rain or Shine, pushing his conference averages to a triple double: 31 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 10 assists. And now the FiberXers find themselves at the top of the standings thanks to arguably the best import of this conference—at least at this point of the tournament.