Import James Mays had a shaky debut with the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers’ win against the GlopalPort Batang Pier on Wednesday, in the Mixers first game after winning the crown in the Philippine Cup.
And San Mig Coffee superstar James Yap has some words on him: “Don’t be gigil.”
After the game, however, Mays admitted he didn’t exactly understand what Yap had told him.
“He told me what gigil is but I forgot it,” Mays told InterAksyon.com
But despite the word being lost in translation, Mays seemed to get the point.
After being scoreless in the first quarter, the 6″8 big man finally made a basket in the second period, anchoring a 10-0 run to grab the upper hand and cruise to the blowout win.
San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone, an American who spent most of his life in the Philippines, joked about the communications breakdown.
“I was hoping that when James told James Mays about gigil, the import would reply, ‘Ano?’” joked Cone.
First Reinforcement in the Country
Mays was the first reinforcement to fly in for the PLDT Home TVolution Commissioner’s Cup, arriving in the Philippines last January.
The early arrival has allowed Mays to take in Filipino culture — and learn a bit of the language as well.
And Mays might learn more Filipino language if San Mig will used him as their only import.
Next Outing
The Mixers will have an acid-test on Sunday against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in a Manila Clasico showdown.
Mays already knows how tough to face the Gin Kings, having witnessed the epic seven-game semifinals series between the two teams last conference.
The Mixers eventullay won the series in rout to the crown.
“I know it’s a big game. You have two of the fan favorites, so I know I have to come up with a better performance than I did today, so I can’t wait,” said Mays.
Mays finished with 15 points and six rebounds while struggling with foul trouble in his first game and will be facing the explosive Ginebra import in Leon Rodgers on Sunday.
— with reports from Sports5.ph
