CEBU -- In case everyone has forgotten, Darrell Menina remains as one of the elite point guards in the collegiate level.
He may have taken his act down south with University of Cebu, but he is still every bit of the shifty playmaker everyone knew about in Mapua and National University.
And what better way for him to reintroduce himself to the public than representing the Queen City of the South in Max4-Birada Cebu in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 Patriot's Cup.
"Two years na nga ang nakalipas. Binigyan ako ng opportunity ni coach Dondon Hontiveros maglaro dito at ginrab ko lang yung opportunity na ibinigay niya sa akin," he said.
The 5-foot-10 Menina wasted no time putting on a show for his fellow Cebuanos, highlighted by his eight-point explosion in Cebu's 21-12 win over MiGuard-Vigan Wolves in the first leg last Sunday.
As sweet as the win was, it meant more that he's flying the flag for his province in the first-of-its-kind 3x3 tourney.
"Special talaga siya. Para siyang Gilas eh. Di ba nakalagay sa harap Pilipinas? So ganoon din dito kasi Cebu yung nasa jersey ko. Ang sarap sa feeling na dala mo yung province mo," said the Talisay City-born guard.
But more than anything, the 21-year-old guard just wants to follow the advice of Hontiveros to make the most of this stint, much like how it did for Rey Suerte's career last conference.
"Sabi ni coach Dondon, ito yung opportunity ko na maibalik yung apelyido ko. Two years na rin eh. Para na rin sa family ko kasi may anak na rin ako. Inspired ako maglaro para sa kanya at makabalik ng Manila kung may offer," Menina said.
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