Though he struggled on offense, DJ Kennedy showed he could contribute in other departments for Meralco in the EASL.
DJ Kennedy struggled to get his bearing going in Meralco’s 97-85 triumph over Macau in the East Asia Super League on Wednesday, Oct. 2.
Despite producing 17 points, the American reinforcement shot a woeful 6-for-24 from the field including a 0-for-6 tally from the three-point line in his debut for the Bolts.
Kennedy also had a game-high five turnovers.
“He didn’t shoot the ball well. He was not at his best,” said Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo shortly after the match at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
[ALSO READ: A Look Back: PBA teams that have competed in the East Asia Super League]
Trillo, though, did not really mind.
The amiable mentor knew that though Kennedy could not get his offense going, he contributed a lot for the team.
Kennedy submitted nine rebounds and seven assists as the Bolts toyed with expansion team Black Bears.
Trillo even rained praises on the 6-foot-6 cager, comparing his game to that of teammate Chris Newsome and Ginebra's Justin Brownlee.
The Gin Kings reinforcement is Kennedy's former college teammate at St. John’s University in the US.
"'Yung maganda kay DJ, I think you pointed out, he’s a little bit like Brownlee in the sense,” Trillo said.
“He plays a little bit like New (Newsome) where he makes the right decision all the time. He plays both ends of the floor.”
Kennedy will have a chance to atone for his subpar game when Meralco visits Okinawa to take on the Ryukyu Golden Kings on October 16.