Mitchell says Macau flop ‘starts with me’
Macau Black Knights import Tony Mitchell knows the PBA better than anyone in the Commissioner’s Cup guest team’s lineup.
So it was rather expected that he took accountability for the Black Knights’ abysmal start in the import-laden conference.
“We know each other, having played five games already. It’s more so with me now,” Mitchell told the Inquirer after yet another loss, this time at the hands of San Miguel Beer at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday night.
“The effort has to start with me first. With my leadership and everything plus all the qualities I bring to the team, I know everybody’s supposed to follow [me] so I have to be better.”
The Black Knights absorbed a blowout defeat at the hands of the Beermen, 110-94, which effectively put them at the bottom of the standings with a 0-5 card.
Mitchell, however, has been doing his thing despite Macau’s losing start.
Next game
Unfortunately, even his numbers of 23 points and 10 rebounds weren’t enough to give the guest team their first win in the conference.
The winless start didn’t dampen Mitchell’s confidence, though.
After all, he knows how the league works after playing import for the former Star Hotshots, now Magnolia, in 2017 and the NLEX Road Warriors in 2019.
“I’m putting the responsibility on myself because I know this league. It starts with me.”
Mitchell can further sharpen his leadership skills for over a week as the Black Knights won’t see action until April 11.
When Macau does return to action, still at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, it takes on Meralco, which entered the Holy Week break with a 3-1 card.
