Some things just matter more.
Tyler Bey looked surprised when Johnathan Williams was announced the Best Import of the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
But the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots reinforcement later clarified he didn’t mind not winning the plum.
After all, Bey would rather focus on getting the job done for the Hotshots.
“No, no, I wasn’t thinking about the Best Import (award),” he said. “For me, I just wanna win.”
But his performance betrayed his statement.
Bey played inspired basketball and made up for a measly output in Game Three, winding up with 26 big points in the Hotshots' 96-85 win over San Miguel Beermen to even the series at two-all.
What’s even more impressive he put the cuffs on counterpart Bennie Boatwright while doing so. The SMB import finished with 16 points, his lowest in the conference.
Bey said he simply embraced the daunting task of containing the prolific import.
“I know he’s gonna come up more aggressive this game for sure,” he said. “For me, I’m just stepping up to the challenge.”
The soft-spoken import is expected to play the same major role when the Hotshots look to gain the lead in the best-of-seven series come Game Five on Sunday.
It will air live on RPTV, A2Z, PBA Rush, and the Pilipinas Live app.