MICHAEL Juico is certainly making the most out of his stint with the Pampanga Lanterns in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
The former San Sebastian gunner has been the most prolific scorer in the MPBL and it isn't even close.He averaged 26 points through six games, doing most of the heavy lifting alongside Jong Baloria in leading Pampanga to a respectable 3-3 record.
This includes a record-setting 35-point performance in the Lanterns' win over Paranaque, the highest scoring performance in the league so far.
"Nung unang punta ko sa pro, hindi ako masyadong ginagamit so kinundisyon ko yung sarili ko para sa Pampanga, para sa team namin," said Juico. "Kailan kundisyon ka talaga bago ako mapunta sa MPBL."
Juico expects to be a marked man for opposing defenses from hereon.
"Patience lang talaga. Kailangan ko pa maging patient lalo na ako yung number one scorer. Expect ko na na titignan talaga ako ng mga teams," said Juico.
Juico, who last saw action in the PBA with Globalport, isn't contented with making a name in the MPBL. For him, the end goal is still a return stint to the pros.
"I hope. Sana talaga makabalik ako. Lahat ng mga players yun ang goal e makapunta sa higher level," Juico admitted. "Although ako nakapaglaro na sa ganung level, siyempre gusto mo pa rin makabalik."
With the way he's playing, it wouldn't be surprising to see Juico get picked up by a PBA squad sooner than later.
"Hindi naman malabo na makabalik ako, lalo na ang ganda ng pinapakita ko. Sana makabalik ako kaagad."
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