Sean Anthony’s hard work is finally paying off as he is having an impressive performance for NLEX in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association On Tour.
The 37-year-old forward has been averaging 20 points, 12 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game in the first four games of the Road Warriors in this exhibition series that serves as a warm-up for the season-opening Commissioner’s Cup.
His most impressive game came last Friday in which he dropped a triple-double performance of 22 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the Road Warriors to a 112-95 victory over erstwhile undefeated Phoenix Super LPG.
The 6-foot-4 forward was so impressive that he already notched the rare feat in the first half.
“I just got back a couple of days ago and I’m still feeling some jet lag,” Anthony said.
“But Coach (Frankie Lim) gave me some time. Our mindset is to make good stops, go out and run and move the ball and that’s what we did against Phoenix. Hopefully, we can continue to do that moving forward.”
But Anthony’s solid performance wasn’t a stroke of luck.
After suffering various injuries the past couple of years, Anthony regained his deadly form when he started to attend the workouts of the Gilas Pilipinas team that competed in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
Although he wasn’t part of the 12-man roster, Anthony volunteered himself to become a practice player not just to become a “warm body” on the floor but also to achieve tip-top condition heading into his PBA campaign.
“I messaged coach Chot, and I kinda wanted to get involved in the program again as I look to wrap up my career soon, so if there’s a role or opportunity, let me know; and he said we needed some bodies at practice,” Anthony said in an interview shortly after joining the Gilas practice in April.
“It’s been an honor to serve the country and help the team prepare.”
