Price is right

Before the start of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Samsung Governors Cup Finals, I asked Purefoods interim coach Ryan Gregorio if there was a possibility that import Kelvin Price would be replaced.

"We’re sticking with Kelvin," he replied. "He brought us to the Finals with his defense. In the Coca-Cola (semifinal) series, his block on (Ron) Hale in Game 5 decided the outcome. But he could help us even more if he scores 12 to 15 points a game."

I wondered about Price because in the run up to the Finals against Alaska, he was far from prolific. There was a three-game stretch in the Coca-Cola series where Price averaged only 6.3 points and the Tender Juicy Hot Dogs lost two of those contests.

I figured Derrick Brown couldn’t bring Purefoods to the title singlehandedly and needed a partner like Price’s predecessor Leon White who was potentially as explosive.

Gregorio, however, had no doubts. Price was his choice and for him, this Price was right.

For the record, Price averaged 11.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in six games before the Finals. He shot 54 percent from the field and a lowly 48.3 percent from the line. His free throw marksmanship was a cause for concern since as an inside operator, Price is often fouled close to the basket by defenders who would rather he earn his points from the stripe than score on a layup.

In the Finals, Price has stepped up big time. He’s averaging 14.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. His field goal shooting has improved dramatically to 72.7 percent. He’s also lifted his free throw clip to 52.6 percent. But what makes Price so valuable to Purefoods is his attitude.

Price doesn’t care for individual stats. He goes out to do what he’s supposed to do as a role player. He thinks team, not self. That’s why he’s a perfect complement for Brown who’s more of a take-charge guy. Price doesn’t mind doing the dirty work–playing defense, sacrificing his body, diving for loose balls, and sometimes, getting gouged in the process.

Price, incidentally, was voted Best Player in Purefoods’ 84-72 win last Tuesday. He deserved it. Price was the only player on both sides to grab double-figure rebounds and netted 19 points on 8-of-12 from the floor. No frills, no fuss. Price got the job done.

After the game, Price said he was hired to rebound and play defense.

That’s exactly what he’s been doing. Gregorio knew all along that Price wouldn’t let him down.

Price, 26, was born in Kingston, Jamaica. At New Iberia high school in Louisiana, he was a star trackster and clocked 48.4 seconds in the 200-meter dash. Price also lettered in basketball and led New Iberia to four consecutive district titles. As a junior prepster, he averaged 14.7 points and 11.2 rebounds. And in his final year at New Iberia, Price hit at a 20.2 clip and grabbed 14.2 boards an outing.

From high school, Price played two years at Southwest Louisiana State and two years at North Carolina-Charlotte. He scored over 1,000 points in his collegiate career and made it to the North Carolina-Charlotte history books by hitting 52 percent from the field, ninth on the all-time honor roll in that department.

Collegiate scouts said Price was physically miscast as a center or power forward. He wasn’t beefy enough. But his athleticism and long arms made up for his lack of bulk. Scouts described Price as a warrior–relentless and unforgiving.

Price had his first taste of international competition as an import for the Brisbane Bullets in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) where he averaged 13.2 points and 11.4 rebounds in two years. He also played for the Dodge City Legend in the United States Basketball League (USBL) before joining the Huntsville Flight under coach Bob Thornton in the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) this season.

It was Thornton who recommended Price to Purefoods coach-on-loan Eric Altamirano. Thornton, a former New York Knick, was in Manila as a coaching consultant when Altamirano called the shots for Mobiline, now Talk ‘N Text, some years back.

At Hunstville, Price averaged 8.5 points, 7.l rebounds, and 27 minutes in 47 games, including 37 starts. He shot 40.6 percent from the field and 61.9 percent from the line.

It seems providential that Price and Brown got together at Purefoods.

Price’s Huntsville squad was called the Flight. Brown’s nickname is Flight and he went to school at Providence.

In tonight’s Game 6, Alaska’s back is against the wall. One more Purefoods win and it’s over. The Aces aren’t giving up. Coach Tim Cone isn’t giving up. But if Ron Riley and James Head don’t outwork Brown and Price, there won’t be a Game 7 on Sunday.