NorthPort’s Flores responds to PBA All-Star showcase snub with solid game vs Converge

MANILA, Philippines – NorthPort Batang Pier rookie Cade Flores admitted feeling “disrespected” after not being chosen to take part of the Rookie-Sophomors-Juniors (RSJ) game in the PBA All-Star in Bacolod later this month.

One of the best rookies in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, the 6-foot-5 Flores was not part of the 24-man pool for the RSJ game.

The roster was announced last month.

On Sunday, the workhorse had a big game, finishing with 14 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three steals as he played 30 minutes in NorthPort’s big 112-104 come-from-behind win against the Converge FiberXers in the PBA Philippine Cup.

Flores said after the game that the RSJ voting is “probably just a popularity contest”.

“I was mad just because I felt like I was disrespected, but you know me, I play with my heart on the court,” he told reporters.

“A little disrespectful, but I mean, it is what it is. I’m going to use it as determination to play the hardest,” he added.

Flores made seven of his nine shots in the game where the Batang Pier clawed their way back from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit.

In overtime, he made several key steals and rebounds, as well as a layup at the 1:13 mark of the quarter to grab a 110-101 lead.

“When I saw I didn’t get selected, I was like ‘ridiculous’. It’s gotta be a popularity thing, I’m not really big on social media. If it’s based on stats damn, then I should be in there, right?” the former Arellano Chief said.

NorthPort is currently holding a 1-1 win-loss record in the tournament.

Flores is currently averaging 9.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game in two All-Filipino contests so far. 

They will try to win back-to-back when they face the debuting Phoenix Fuel Masters on Friday, 4 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.