VON Tambeling spent his first games with his new team Tanduay playing under the shadows of more celebrated guards in Lester Alvarez, Joseph Terso, and James Martinez in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup.
But it was a different story on Thursday.
Slowly regaining his confidence, Tambeling stole the spotlight and played his best game yet with the Rhum Masters as he finished with 28 points, five rebounds, and three steals in a 111-86 win over Batangas.
"Nung past games ko, struggling ako e, wala kasi akong kumpyansa kasi bago pa ako. Nahihiya pa ako," said the prolific guard who played for Wangs Basketball last season.
"Pero nakukuha ko na yung chemistry namin tsaka nagtitiwala na sila sakin," he added.
[See Tanduay eases to victory over Batangas to tighten grip on third spot]
The 6-footTambeling admitted it was initially hard to assert himself in a loaded team like Tanduay, yet he had no complaints in his role.
After all, the Philippine Christian University standout said his focus is just to help the Rhum Masters—currently at third with a 5-2 record—in their campaign as well as try to become a complete player in time for the upcoming NAASCU season.
Asked if he plans to apply for the PBA draft this year, Tambeling said he is delaying his PBA aspirations until next year.
"Actually di ko rin masagot yan. Hindi ako sure. Kailangan ko pa isang season pa. Feeling ko kulang pa," said Tambeling, who averaged 10.14 points, 3.29 rebounds, 1.0 assists despite playing limited minutes.
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