PBA: NLEX import Al Thornton on scoring 50 points vs Ginebra: 'I should've had 60'

 

Al Thorton was one of the last players to come out of the NLEX locker room after their come-from-behind victory against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Wednesday night.

 

Team staff apologized to reporters waiting along the corridor of the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City, explaining that Thornton has a ritual after every game.

 

A few minutes later, loud music boomed through the walls, signaling the arrival of the 32-year-old import from the shower. He carried a portable stereo as he made his way back to the lower room to get dressed.

 

The music continued to blare until he stepped out, and Thornton turned it off shortly as he got ready to talk to the media after dropping a season-high 50 points earlier in the game.

 

"I think I should've had 60," the NBA veteran quipped after laughing when he was asked to address the feat. "I missed way too many free throws."

 

Thornton went 11-of-18 from the charity stripe that night, but his misses pale in comparison to the difficult baskets he was able to make from the field. He shot a whopping 75 percent with an 18-of-24 clip, exploding particularly in the second half.

 

He also grabbed 18 rebounds and dished two assists for NLEX, which trailed most of the game before turning the tables in the last four minutes.

 

With an average of 33.75 points so far, perhaps, Thornton's stellar performance could be attributed to his ritual of listening to his favorite tracks before and after games.

 

"That's something I've been doing for a long time. It's put me in the zone," said the import, who added that the habit started when he was in high school.

 

Asked what songs he usually play, Thornton grinned and chose to keep that secret to himself.

 

"You don't wanna know. It's a lot of rap," he said. —JST, GMA News