Currently in his first professional stint overseas at age 21, Malcolm Hill has made quite a good reputation as a solid player despite his young age as players and coaches begin to notice his full potential.
“He’s gonna be a great player. He has shown great ability already as a young player. I’m not sure if this is his first professional league, but first impression, he’s gonna be a great professional player,” Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee told InterAksyon
“If he wants to continue playing here, he’s gonna have a lot of success here.”
The hero of Barangay Ginebra’s dramatic title run last season, Brownlee is impressed at how Hill showed his composure during Manila Clasico last Sunday.
Hill buried three clutch free throws with 0.6 seconds left in the fourth period to force overtime. However, he fouled out in the extra period and couldn’t lift the Hotshots a win.
“He showed a lot of heart, a lot of courage,” added Brownlee. “Looking at the other side, we missed a lot of free throws. But this guy showed a lot of confidence, a lot of poise in making those three free throws.”
Veteran guard Mark Barroca said Hill’s all-around plays reminded him of his former teammate Joe Devance who is now a member of Ginebra.
“Parang andyan nga ulit si Joe eh,” Barroca said. “Na-miss namin si Joe kasi steady player na kayang lumaro ng kahit anong position. Si Hill ganun rin.”
Coaches Tim Cone and Chito Victolero also became believers of the former Illinois standout.
“He played a very good game and I’m happy for him. Talagang yung effort ibinigay niya, even yung big heart niya ipinakita niya when he made that three free throws in front of ganung kadaming crowd. He’s only 21, magi-improve pa yan,” Victolero said.
Cone, who has seen the greatest imports played in about three decades of coaching in the PBA, was also impressed by Hill.
“He’s a quick, good shooting import and gives them versatility. We were like playing five guards out there. But Hill is a great talent, a great addition to Purefoods,” Cone said.
