Weary Josh Powell glad to see Ginebra step up and stick together: 'I had a good time'

Josh Powell played 45 minutes in his Ginebra debut, just a day after arriving from Los Angeles. He had 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds against Meralco but looked too winded to take over the game in the fourth quarter. Jerome Ascano

JOSH Powell looked like he was on rubbery legs and too tired to even celebrate after his PBA debut with Ginebra on Wednesday night.

Still, the former LA Laker said he had a "good time."

“I just like the fight, just the will and they (Gin Kings) kept going. So it’s fun," said the six-year NBA veteran after Ginebra's 88-78 win over Meralco in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

"We just got to keep fighting because each play is a fight on both ends, it’s a fun game, (I had a) good time,” Powell added.

Powell played 45 minutes in his PBA debut, just a day after arriving from Los Angeles. The 31-year-old former North Carolina State big man had 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds but looked too winded to take over the game in the fourth quarter.

Still, the Ginebra import said he liked the way locals like Chris Ellis, Greg Slaughter, LA Tenorio, and Mark Caguioa stepped up and stayed together in the fiercely fought endgame.

“The biggest thing tonight is we stuck together. Everybody was positive on both ends and we just kept on fighting till the end,” Powell said after helping the Gin Kings snap a two-game losing skid to tie the Bolts for the seventh and eight spots with identical 3-4 records.

With two games left in their elimination round schedule, Powell is confident they can only get better, especially as he gets an extra few days of practice and rest during the All-Star Weekend starting Thursday.

Ginebra won't be back to action until April 13 whjen it takes on defending champion Alaska before wrapping up its schedule with an all-important match against Rain or Shine on April 2

Source: Spin.ph