MARK Nonoy wouldn't miss the 2019 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup All-Star Game for the world.
"Gusto ko lang ma-experience na makasama ko yung mga idol ko sa college sa UAAP," shared the 19-year-old super-rookie.
Nonoy came straight from his high school graduation at University of Santo Tomas and arrived just before the fourth quarter for the midseason festivities of the summer tourney.
But the Ilonggo playmaker didn't really need much warm-up, playing the entirety of the fourth quarter as he was a difference-maker for Team UAAP in its 86-83 victory over Team NCAA on Friday.
Nonoy fired eight points, three rebounds, and three assists, but more importantly, treasuring the opportunity to team up with his soon-to-be UAAP foes like Aljun Melecio and Andrei Caracut and face off against top NCAA guards like Jaycee Marcelino and Kent Salado.
"Gusto ko rin makakuha ng experience sa kanila para ma-apply ko rin for the upcoming season. Ina-apply ko rin at pinapractice ko yung depensa kasi mas experienced sila eh," he said.
"Iniisip ko na parehas lang kami. Pag nasa court ka, mag-go hard ka talaga para makatulong ka sa team. Ako pag nasa court ako, kung ano ang maitutulong ko sa teammates ko at sa coaches ko, yun ang ginagawa ko."
But if there's one thing Nonoy can take pride from, it's that he knows that he was able to hold his own against some of the top guards in the collegiate level.
"Iba pag yung idol mo, binabatayan mo. Doon ako humuhugot ng inspirasyon sa kanila," he said.
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