Import Lowhorn expects to get a high from pro-Ginebra crowd

 

Dior Lowhorn is pleased to get a chance to play for the crowd favorites. aseanbasketballleague.com

BARANGAY Ginebra import Dior Lowhorn has played before huge crowds during his college days and while serving as one of Saigon Heat’s imports in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) last season.

Now that he’s with the Gin Kings, the wide-bodied 6-4 Lowhorn said he can’t wait to play before a crowd that’s probably three times more than what he’s experienced with the Heat in the ABL.

“I’ve heard (of the big crowd supporting Ginebra). But I don’t even know what to expect yet,” Lowhorn told Spin.ph after one of Ginebra’s scrimmage games against the Alaska Aces.

“I’ve been to the Gilas games (in the Fiba-Asia) so I think it would be the same. I guess it’s like playing in college, in a big college game though it’s been a long time now. Though in Saigon, we have 5,000 to 6,000 fans unlike here (in the PBA), I heard it’s 15,000 so that’s a good thing,” he added.

Lowhorn said he’s used to getting booed in the other leagues he has played before. But now, knowing that he’ll be playing for the pro league’s most popular ball club, he looks forward to feeding off the energy of the team’s legion of supporters.

“I’d rather have them (Ginebra fans) being on our side. That’s a good sixth man," said the 26-year-old forward, whose highly-anticipated debut happens on Sunday when Barangay Ginebra clashes with sister team Petron Blaze at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The former University of San Francisco standout said he believes the Gin Kings can make a huge impact early in the tournament considering the load of talent they have.

Barangay Ginebra is also coming off a strong runner up finish in the Commissioner’s Cup last summer.

“I just want to win and get back to the finals, because they were supposed to be champions but they got swept (by Alaska),” he said.

During his time with the Heat last summer, Lowhorn averaged 26.7 points and close to nine rebounds before hurting his knee on April 17. He then returned to the United States to recover, before finally signing up with the pro league’s most popular ball club.