Stretch four Aldrech Ramos is glad that he delivered the most crucial basket for the Star Hotshots in Game One of their Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals series against the San Miguel Beermen.
Ramos fired a booming triple with 15 seconds left to douse San Miguel’s late rally and seal the 109-105 win for the Hotshots.
The 6’6″ forward was relieved to redeem himself after initially being reluctant down the stretch.
“Yung first one, hindi ko itinira. Naging tentative ako noon nung na-shot clock violation yata kami. Sinabihan ako ni coach, kung libre ka, itira mo. Nung nakita ko yung pangalawang chance, I grabbed it. Luckily naman, na-shoot siya,” Ramos told a small group of sportswriters.
“Masaya kasi crucial yun, nakatulong yun sa team para manalo. Hindi ko na maalala yung last time na naka-shoot ako ng ganun, hindi winning shot pero parang ganun. Masarap yung feeling ng ganun. Nakaka-boost ng morale yun and sa team namin. I have to give credit rin sa San Miguel kasi hindi sila nag-give up nung last two minutes. Humabol sila kahit malaki na lamang namin.”
Star coach Chito Victolero, who also coached Ramos at Kia (now known as Mahindra), is also happy that Ramos delivered when Star needed it the most.
“I told Aldrech, the reason why he’s there is, I want to spread the floor and nung last two minutes medyo tentative siya eh. Even Mark (Barroca) and Paul (Lee) tentative. I told them na after the timeout, if you’re open, shoot it. Aldrech responded to my challenge. He shot the ball with confidence,” Victolero said.
