Durham impressed with Hill as latter's "tests" now done

PBA

By Ivan Saldajeno

STA. ROSA, Laguna--Star coach Chito Victolero said that he sees his team's games against Ginebra and Meralco this past week as tests for Malcolm Hill on whether he can be a big time player or not.

Justin Brownlee already made a rave on the young import, seeing him as "a great player" in the future.

On Saturday night, it was Allen Durham's turn to commend Hill.

"I was impressed," Durham told Dugout Philippines right after their match-up at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex.

Hill made an account for himself here, tallying 28 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, four steals, one block in almost 39 minutes of play.

What made it more significant was that he made half of his points in the fourth quarter, when the Hotshots went full throttle on their comeback bid from 20 points down.

However, Durham, who had a game-high 29 points and 27 rebounds with seven assists, three blocks, and one steal for a brilliant all-around game, had the last laugh as the Bolts prevailed over the Hotshots.

[Related Story: Meralco wins over Star in PBA's first Sta. Rosa showcase]

"The team that wanted it more will come out, and it's us," Durham said.

Still, he was all praises for Hill, who is on his maiden first-team pro stint.

"For him with his first contract overseas at only 21 years old, he's a good player, and he's gonna get better," lauded Durham.

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