MANILA, Philippines – TNT import Joshua Smith had a relatively quiet night in his first game back in the PBA but that hardly mattered for the KaTropa.

Even with Smith chipping in just 11 points and 3 rebounds in 13 minutes of action – numbers that are considered subpar for an import – the KaTropa still wreaked havoc and demolished the Columbian Dyip, 123-95, on Friday, June 1.

And for the burly reinforcement, stats get thrown out of the window as long as they come out victorious. 

“I’m playing with some new guys, playing with some guys I played with last year, but all that matters is we won,” he said.

The 6-foot-10 behemoth, who steered the KaTropa to the finals of the Commissioner’s Cup last season, met some new faces after TNT tapped his services again as a replacement for Jeremy Tyler. 

For starters, it was Smith’s first game alongside Terrence Romeo and Jericho Cruz, players acquired by the KaTropa during the past few months. 

Their addition may have had a hand in the 26-year-old’s performance. 

“We’re running new plays that we didn’t run last year. It’s a new system, so I’m just trying to get used to it. The guys played their hearts out today. It’s a good win.” 

But make no mistake, Smith is glad to have Romeo and Cruz in the fold as he seeks to complete his unfinished business with the KaTropa after they fell short of the championship against the San Miguel Beermen. 

“To add two guys like that with the guys we have right now, we’re deep,” said Smith. 

The KaTropa, who share the top spot with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters after improving to 5-1, aim to book a playoff spot against the NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday, June 3, at the Mall of Asia Arena. – Rappler.com