Tyler Bey has yet to play his first official game in the Philippine Basketball Association but he is already making a lot of heads, including that of Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
Victolero said he likes what he is seeing in the 25-year-old Bey, who fashions a balance of on-court skills and great attitude that could help them in the coming Commissioner’s Cup starting 5 November.
The 6-foot-7 Bey, who also played briefly for the Dallas Mavericks before heading overseas, was among the first imports to arrive in the country.
“We really wanted to start early,” Victolero said.
“As a team, we always scramble for time preparing because we were always competing in the playoffs and there’s no time for us to prepare longer as a team.”
“But ever since Tyler came, we saw how great his attitude is. He never complains, he does all the things the other players were doing. He doesn’t make you feel that he should be given more important treatment. He’s just one of the guys.”
But more than the attitude, Bey proved to be the kind of import Victolero is looking for — energetic, aggressive on both ends and get everybody on the team involved.
Victolero saw it when the Hotshots played in two tune-up games against Blackwater and visiting team LG Sakers from the Korean Basketball League.
“We won over Blackwater and we ended up tied with LG Sakers,” Victolero said.
“LG Sakers is a tough team and even gave Gilas a tough time, so this is a fitting workout for us.”
Bey is the only new player for the Hotshots, who failed to accommodate incoming rookies Patrick Maagdenberg, Rey Anthony Peralta, Warren Bonifacio and Christian Bunag.
