Converge head coach Aldin Ayo was very much pleased with the performance of his import Ethan Rusbatch following a solid debut in the FiberXers’ 122-92 rout of the NorthPort Batang Pier to open their 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup campaign on Sunday, Jan. 22 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Rusbatch, the first player from New Zealand to play in the league as an import, made a good account of himself with 17 points and nine rebounds and a plus-26 efficiency in his 37 minutes on the floor.
While the New Zealand national team member didn’t look like an explosive scorer for Converge, he actually did a little bit of everything especially on the defensive end when he shadowed NorthPort import Marcus Weathers, who waxed hot early but cooled down in the latter part of the contest.
For Ayo, Rusbatch was just exactly what he needed from an import since he wanted to have his local crew to be very much involved in their offensive executions.
“Fit talaga siya kasi siya yung hinahanap namin na import eh, yung magko-compliment sa mga locals. ayaw naman namin ng import na ii-score ng 50, 60 kasi magiging very predictable kami. Gusto namin na umiikot yung bola,” said Ayo.
“We have good local players, magagaling and gusto namin na lumabas yung laro ng mga locals namin,” he added.
While Rusbatch was high on Ayo's list of possible imports for the season-ending conference, the rookie coach admitted he was not the first choice for the team.
“Ethan knows this, our first option was Tom Vodanovich. Pero he’s still playing. Nasa NBL pa, nasa playoffs pa. So we looked for Ethan. I talked to coach Nenad because nahawakan niya ang mga yun. highly-recommended niya especially si Tom,” revealed Ayo.
And knowing these players and what they could bring to the team, Ayo believed either of the two will be a tailor fit to his system and his local crew that already proved it has enough firepower to compete against some of the biggest teams in the league.
“We want imports who are willing to play within the system. Yung nag-e-execute. And these New Zealanders are known for that and these players are fundamentally sound,” said Ayo.
“High character. And he’s very contagious during practices, kung paano siya mag-ensayo, paano niya i-push yung mga teammates niya. Very positive yung aura niya sa team namin,” he said of Rusbatch.