PBA: Jordan Murphy impresses in Ginebra debut

MANILA – Import Jordan Murphy made a statement with a double-double performance in his debut for Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

Murphy produced 30 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists to lift the Gin Kings past the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 129-111, on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The newest member of the Barangay was generally pleased with his performance in his debut.

“It was good. They were just as physical as they were telling me. The energy was really high so I was just trying to match that,” Puerto Rican big man told reporters after the win.

“And my teammates they were doing a good job just keeping me involved and locked into the game,” Murphy added.

Despite being with the team for only two weeks, Murphy believes he is fitting well with the Gin Kings as seen in his first game against Rain or Shine. 

“Really good to be honest. It feels like I’ve been here longer than two weeks to be honest. They’ve been really good integrating me to the team and making me feel welcome,” he shared.

While the Elasto Painters have a strong team reinforced by Aaron Fuller, Murphy made sure to establish himself on the inside.

“They’re really a good team on the inside as well, they have a really good import in [Aaron] Fuller as well. I was just trying to match that energy… They have some really strong guys on the team so I was trying to get inside presence, get to the free throw line and establish myself,” he said.

Despite already gelling with his teammates, Murphy admits he’s still getting used to Ginebra head coach Tim Cone’s system, especially the triangle offense.

“It’s been quite an adjustment. I’ve never ran the triangle before. So just learning the reads and learning to play off my teammates, especially RJ [Abarrientos] who’s a really good point guard just making sure I can play off him the right way and make right reads,” he said.

“It’s been a challenge but he’s [Abarrientos] been doing a great job communicating with me. It’s more seamless,” Murphy added.

When asked how he landed in the PBA, the Puerto Rican cager said it was as simple as the Gin Kings reaching out to his camp.

“They pretty much said there was an opportunity here with a really good, a really big organization here in the Philippines so I pretty much wanted the challenge,” he said.

“I knew it was gonna be a challenge, getting adjusted and playing in a short amount of time and I really wanted to do it,” Murphy shared.

The winningest PBA coach is satisfied with Murphy’s performance in his first game, hoping he can carry this momentum moving forward in the conference.

“Jordan was great, he gave us a good lift especially early in the game… We’re obviously pleased with Jordan,” Cone said.

“When people ask me what does Jordan do for us, he fills our hole. He’s the guy that can get a little in and out, rebound, defend. He’s a complete player. We just hope he can continue to build off this,” he added.

With one win already in the books, Murphy remains focused on his goal to help Ginebra get out of the danger zone and into the playoffs.

Murphy and the Gin Kings will have a quick turnaround to rest and regroup for another tough battle against the Magnolia Hotshots on Sunday.

“They said it’s a really big rivalry game. I mean, obviously for me, it’s a little different. I’m just trying to collect as many wins as possible for these guys and help these guys get where they want to get to,” he said.

“Whether it’s Magnolia or another team, it’s just another team that we have to go out there and collect the dub,” Murphy shared.