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TNT dedicates Game 4 to soon-to-be-dad Smith with patches of GF's name

Joshua Smith wants to give his all in the Finals for his girlfriend, whose name was patched in his team's jerseys, and their incoming daughter.
By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--In a usual gesture, teams would place patches with a name, initials, or a number to pay respect to a teammate who got hurt badly or has a relative who passed away that he has to leave his team for a while to join his family.

On Wednesday night, TNT dedicated Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals against San Miguel to a certain "Kristy" by placing patches at the side of the players' jerseys.

But who is Kristy?

"Kristy is the girlfriend of Joshua [Smith]. Manganganak na siya. We'll get updates," bared Coach Nash Racela after the game, referring to Kristy Ochoa, who is expected to give birth anytime soon.

However, Smith has a finals series to focus on and could not take a plane ride to Seattle just to say hello to his soon-to-be-born daughter.

But he said that his partner is already aware of the situation.

"They know what I sacrificed," said Smith in a separate interview.

He, however, later admitted, "I'm happy [to become a dad] but at the same time I'm anxious and nervous to see what the baby looks like."

Good thing for Smith, the patches turned out to be "lucky charms" as the KaTropa dedicated the match to him and his family pretty well, downing the Beermen, 102-97, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to even the best-of-seven series at two wins apiece.


Smith also delivered an inspired performance, scoring 20 points and 15 rebounds in the win.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno