Washington's career game tow GlobalPort to 1st ever q'finals berth

MANILA, Philippines – Jay Washington did not want to ruin his career night and, more importantly, his team’s chances of making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

After missing the potential game winner in the regulation, Washington was bold enough to tell his teammates, “We can still do it.”

Back up the talk he did.

Washington redeemed himself as he accounted for half of GlobalPort’s 12 points in the extra time to help the Batang Pier pull off a 113-106 victory over crowd favorite Brgy. Ginebra Kings Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I was mad when I didn’t make the last shot in regulation.  But come overtime, I was still confident. From the game that I already put in, I just wanted to keep going from there,” Washington told reporters after the game that marked many firsts for him personally and his new team.

Washington had his breakout game since moving to GlobalPort at the start of the conference after struggling in his final two conferences with Petron Blaze.  

The 6-7 forward put up career numbers with 30 points and five shot blocks that went with 14 rebounds.

“It’s good that we’re in the playoffs. It’s big for the franchise. First time to reach the playoffs and first time to reach four wins,” Washington said.  

Their 4-5 win-loss record has secured them either the sixth or the seventh spot in the quarterfinals pending the results of Sunday’s games.

“I think we’ve already secured the seventh spot or even better than that. We don’t want to be in a position where we need to fight for the eighth spot. Mentally and physically, for me, it all came together tonight,”

Washington made 10 of 20 shots and was perfect from the line (6-of-6) which he attributed to his “alone” time in the gym, an old routine he used to do during his varsity years at Eckerd College.

“This week, I decided to go back to my college days. I just used to be in the gym by myself, just shooting when there was no one else there,” Washington said.

The ploy worked wonders for the struggling Fil-Am, who was only shooting 29 percent entering Friday night’s game.

Washington rediscovered his old form that made him a two-time Best Player of the Conference.

“I’ve been struggling all conference. I’ve always been a shooter. It’s been frustrating. I don’t know if it’s the minutes I’m getting now or because of the expectations of the team from me, but I just couldn’t figure out my shots,” said Washington, who was glad to break out from the slump in the most opportune time.

Washington, who will turn 33 next month, was given a new lease of life at GlobalPort after two uninspired conferences with his former team causing a major drop in his offensive output from close to 15 points last season to just 8.8 points.

“I have a lot of support from the [GlobalPort] management and the rest of the team. They didn’t give me a cold shoulder. The coaches help me whenever I shoot at practice and I appreciate that,” Washington said.