Jordan Murphy made his first appearance for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Tuesday, and head coach Tim Cone was impressed after the new import helped the Gin Kings to an 87-80 victory over the Mongolia Vipers.
Cone said Murphy has made a promising early impression, although the veteran coach stressed that the team needs more time to fully evaluate the 6-foot-6 forward.
“We’ve had one (game) with him so far, and so far so good,” Cone said in a Viber message.
Cone had previously pointed to Murphy’s inside-outside game as a potential fit for Ginebra’s ‘Triangle Offense’.
“He’s purported to be more of inside/outside operator which should fit our Triangle. We’ll know more when we get him into practice over the next several days,” Cone said.
Murphy played college basketball at the University of Minnesota, where he established himself as a productive rebounder and interior scorer while also expanding his ability to play on the perimeter.
He went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft before continuing his professional career overseas and in the NBA G League.
Murphy now has the task of adjusting to Ginebra’s system as the Kings prepare for the continuation of their PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup campaign.
Ginebra initially opened the conference with American import Riley Grigsby but managed only two victories in its first six games.
The Gin Kings are also without longtime resident import Justin Brownlee, who was unavailable for their title-defense bid due to multiple injuries. Reports have also indicated that Brownlee is weighing retirement. (Adrian Co)
