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    Veteran Collado motivated as ever in quest for elusive D-League title

    Veteran Collado motivated as ever in quest for elusive D-League title
    Jul 31, 2018
    PHOTO: Dante Peralta

    AFTER a heartbreaking finals collapse the previous conference, veteran Jessie Collado is looking for redemption in his bid to lead Che’Lu Bar and Grill to a maiden championship in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup.

    The seven-year league veteran was part of the Che’Lu Bar and Grill side that squandered a 1-0 series lead against Zark’s Burger in the Aspirant’s Cup Finals and he admitted the ghosts of that letdown still haunt him until now.

    “Na-frustrate ako kasi unang championship ko na sana sa D-League ‘yun kasi matagal na rin akong naglalaro dito,” said the 6-foot-4 forward, who has been in the league since its inaugural season in 2011.

    That setback has become his biggest motivation as he helped the Revellers turn back Centro Escolar University, 112-97, to draw first blood in their best-of-three semifinal series on Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena.

    “Ginagawa kong motivation ‘yun. Kailangan this year makuha na natin,” said the Olongapo native, who finished with 18 points on 73 percent shooting to go with five rebounds, two assists and as many as steals.

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    Collado has been a big part of the Revellers this conference averaging 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in close to 20 minutes per game, helping his team top the eliminations with a 10-2 win-loss record.

    The Lyceum Olongapo standout is grateful to head coach Stevenson Tiu and his teammates for helping bring the best out of him.

    He is simply repaying the faith.

    “Dahil lang sa mga coaches ko na sinasabing gawin ko lang ‘yung trabaho ko and then sa mga teammates ko na tumutulong sakin,” he said. “Halos pangalawang season ko palang sa kanila. Nakita niya ‘yung potential ko doon sa game plan niya kaya andito ako sa team niya. Ngayon puro beterano ‘yung inaasahan niya kasi nga maraming bata.”

    The Revellers will try to seal their return to the finals in Game 2 on Thursday and Collado is putting premium on defense.

    “Sabi ko nga semis na ‘to, kailangan mag-improve ‘yung depensa natin,” he said. “Hindi dapat maging lousy. Kailangan kung ano ‘yung depensa namin simula first quarter kailangan i-maintain namin ‘yun hanggang fourth quarter para manalo.”

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    PHOTO: Dante Peralta
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