DALPH Panopio acknowledged that there's plenty of work to be done after his first tune-up game for Blackwater ended with a lopsided defeat at the hands of Converge.
Panopio's performance had a mixed bag in the 96-77 setback on Saturday at the Hoops Center in Mandaluyong City after a combination of inconsistent shooting and nifty playmaking, though he was more concerned on what the team can improve ahead of the PBA season.
"I think it went really well and I think we found out that we got a lot of work to do," the third overall pick in the Rookie Draft said. "The score didn't went with us, and it's kind of a wake-up call. But the good thing is that after the game we understood what we got to work on.
"And personally, I got to step up. It was a rough start, I think, but it got better in the second half. My teammates were like a big help and they were really there pushing me which helped in the second half.
"But overall, it's a good start and a good test as a team playing against Converge," added the former Batang Gilas mainstay born to Filipino parents in Italy.
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The exhibition affair, however, delayed the anticipated backcourt team-up with Sedrick Barefield, who didn't see action for the Bossing against the FiberXers.
Barefield has been bothered by a shoulder injury since the Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament in Davao City, but is expected to be ready by the time the 50th season tips off on Oct. 5.
"Even if he was on the bench, he was still talking to me, and he was really helpful, which is a good thing. This team has a great group of guys," said Panopio.(JT)
