Chris Ellis likes what he saw from Josh Powell in former Laker's first practice with Ginebra

Chris Ellis likes what he saw from Josh Powell in former Laker's first practice with Ginebra
THE practice was short, but Ginebra's Chris Ellis came out of it on an emotional high.

Ellis said the mere presence of new import Josh Howell in practice on Tuesday morning came as a confidence boost for a Ginebra team that teetered on the brink of elimination in the PBA Commissioner's Cup with Leon Rodgers.

The 6-8 Powell joined the team’s practice just a few hours after arriving straight from Los Angeles. Based on what he has seen, Ellis said he expects Powell to be a force off the boards and a scoring threat inside - so unlike volume-shooter Rodgers who takes most of his shots from the perimeter.

“Based on what we’ve seen today, we can expect another presence on the boards, more physical and more active offensively,” said a beaming Ellis after practice at the Green Meadows in Quezon City.

The 25-year-old Ellis is hopeful that the 31-year-old Powell’s size, vast NBA experience and high basketball IQ can translate to victories for a Ginebra squad that is now looking to sweep its last three games in the eliminations to boost its playoff hopes.

“His (Powell) IQ is really high. Just coming in, he understands what he has to do.  He’s been hitting all the passes, getting in the right spots,” the Ginebra sophomore said.

“You can tell he has a lot of experience. He likes setting screens and likes grabbing rebounds so I think he can give our big men another rest and more energy, while following his good example,” added Ginebra’s sixth overall pick in the 2012 PBA rookie draft.

Powell debuts for Ginebra on Wednesday when the Gin Kings face the Meralco Bolts in the main game of a double-header at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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source: spin.ph