Bucks’ Dellavedova: PBA style more physical than NBA

MANILA, Philippines — Matthew Dellavedova got to see Philippine basketball up close Saturday night.

And he’s got nothing but praises for the Filipinos’ level of play.

“I think it’s a lot more physical here than in the NBA,” the Milwaukee Bucks guard said. “I think I play hard, but sometimes, the NBA is not into the physical side compared to the international game.”

“You have to fight through screens whenever I play for the Australian team. Growing up in Australia, it was always physical and that’s how I play,” he furthered. Dellavedova was able to watch the Phoenix-Alaska clash that was settled with Eugene Phelp’s layup at the buzzer.

“I mean, I've played once before against the Philippines and they were pushing the game, a lot of dribble penetration and driving and kicking out to 3-point shots,” the 6-foot-4 NBA cager added.

The scrappy Aussie guard, who once won a championship with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, is in town to promote his first signature sneaker with Chinese brand Peak. Earlier Saturday, he met with Globalport Batang Pier and Asian brand ambassador Terrence Romeo.

Dellavedova, who also dons the Australian national team’s threads in the international stage, will get to play the Philippines in the upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifiers this November.

Even with the skirmish still four months away, Dellavadova is whipping up strategies for his team.

“We need to really study the scouting report and be able to defend one-on-one to try to keep drives out of the paint and kick out to open threes,” he said about taking on the Philippines.

And while his participation in the tournament remains uncertain due to NBA’s scheduling woes, Dellavedova still looks forward in partaking in the contest.

“We are going to see how it plays out. I think it's going to be great to get games on our home soil and travel to some new countries as well,” he said.

“I'll be coming back here. It's going to provide new challenges to our coaches because I think we won't be available for two windows. It's going to be interesting how it works out but I'm looking forward to it,” he closed.