MANILA, Philippines – There’s a Polar Bear on the loose in the PBA.
Meralco Bolts rode on the monster games of their import Brian “Polar Bear†Butch to bounce back strong after losing the conference opener to San Miguel Beermen.
Butch rifled in a conference-best 42 points on 6-of-11 shooting from downtown including a clutch triple that saved the Bolts from collapsing against a gutsy GlobalPort Batang Pier to escape with 104-99 victory Saturday night.
It was the second straight game that the Bolts’ 6-9 import shot 6-of-11 from the three-point region after a 27-17 effort against reigning Best Import Rob Dozier in an 85-76 win over Alaska last Wednesday.
“It’s one of the things I’ve done my whole career that’s why I can have a job. I work hard on my craft. It’s one of the things that I put a lot of effort into but I think there are a lot of things that I can do too,†Butch told reporters after leading Meralco to its second straight win.
The former Mc Donald’s All-American and two-time AP High School Player of the Year brings more to the table aside from his deft outside touch.
Butch grabbed 24 rebounds and swatted away two shots in Saturday’s win.
With GlobalPort threatening to steal the game away, Butch came to Meralco’s rescue draining the deadlock-shattering triple from the corner with 1:26 left to play.
“Big win for us. I told the team during the timeout that we’re not gonna lose. And we did,†Butch said.
Three games into the conference, the former Wisconsin Badger is averaging 32.7 points on an impressive 43 percent three-point clip on top of 20.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, a couple of steals and blocks easily making him as one of early standouts among the imports in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Filipino basketball fans are used to seeing Afro-American imports shooting the lights out, barrelling their way for a poster slam or dishing out 20-20 games that’s why it’s refreshing to see a white import delivering the same.
“I just appreciate the privilege of playing here in the Philippines. It takes a lot of courage to bring me over here. I’m grateful for the opportunity,†Butch said.
Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio gambled on Butch, who was the NBA D-League 2010 All Star MVP but got waived by Denver, New Orleans and Utah in the NBA.
Butch went undrafted in the NBA in 2008 after his stocks went down due to a gruesome elbow injury he suffered against Ohio State while playing for the Badgers where he averaged 12.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and close to one shot block as a senior.
He was christened by ESPN college ball commentator Steve Lavin as “Polar Bear†during his sophomore year at Wisconsin after an explosive play in a Big 10 Challenge Game.
The monicker stuck with him and brought the same ferocity that Polar Bears are known for wherever he plays.
Butch will join the TV5 coverage at Sports 5 Center this Sunday during the Talk n Text-Barako Bull tiff which serves as appetizer to the Manila Clasico between the league’s most popular teams Brgy. Ginebra and San Mig Super Coffee.