"Super sub" Intal named Player of the Week

PBA (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Many PBA fans are not used to seeing JC Intal come off the bench for Phoenix considering that he has been in the starting lineup for most of his career.

But in an effort to help in the 6-foot-4 high-flyer's recovery from a foot injury, Coach Ariel Vanguardia opted to have him take a substitute role for the Fuel Masters' PBA Philippine Cup campaign.

That move paid dividends as Intal showed his vintage self this past week, earning him the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week award on Monday.

Intal top-scored for Phoenix in both of its assignments this past week, scoring 22 points in a stunning win against San Miguel and 24 against slumping Mahindra.

"I think he's more relaxed coming off the bench. He's seeing the flow well," Vanguardia said. "He was up to it. The challenge was there, and he responded."

Vanguardia further lauded, "He is one of the hardest working players I've coached and even though he is considered our franchise player, he is willing to learn and very coachable."

Intal edged GlobalPort's Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle, Meralco's Chris Newsome, TNT's Jayson Castro and Mo Tautuaa, and Ginebra's Japeth Aguilar for the weekly citation.

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