FOR a young national team that has shown flashes of offensive brilliance – and sometimes, understandably, immaturity, one man has stood out to be its most reliable night in and night out.
For emerging as Gilas Pilipinas Youth’s most consistent player, Gab delos Reyes was named MVP of the Fiba U16 Asia Cup SEABA qualifiers.
The UAAP Season 87 Juniors Finals MVP out of University of the East picked up from where he left off, anchoring Batang Gilas’ defense by crashing the boards and rim protection, while delivering on offense with his traditional pivot moves that remain as effective as ever.
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Delos Reyes ended up averaging close to a double-double of 9.2 points on 23-of-40 shooting for a solid 58-percent clip, 8.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, two blocks, one steal, and just 1.2 turnovers in six games.
“I'm very happy dun sa performance niya,” Gilas Youth coach LA Tenorio said. “Kung ano yung na-expect namin na kaya namin siya kinuha, ginampanan niya talaga yun. Again, I'm really proud of him and I'm really happy and blessed to have Gab in this team.”
“Napakabait na bata,” he added of Delos Reyes, who turned 16 just last May 8.
“Actually, lahat naman sila mabait. Maganda kasi sa kanila is they’re well-trained na sumunod talaga sa mga pinapagawa namin. Swerte yung team niya sa UAAP, which is UE, to have a Gab.”
The 6-foot-4 Delos Reyes underlined his defensive dominance with a 13-rebound, seven-block game against Singapore.
His numbers were even held down when he had to leave early from their last elimination-round game against Malaysia due to a minor injury that limited him to just two points and three rebounds in five minutes.
Delos Reyes was quick to re-announce his presence in the title game against Indonesia, already flirting with double-double at the end of the first half and finishing with 11 points and 13 rebounds on top of four assists, and one steal.
“Surprised po ako,” Delos Reyes said of bagging the top individual award. “Hindi ko po ine-expect na ako po yung magiging MVP. Nagpapasalamat lang po ako kay God, mga coach ko, at teammates.”
“Syempre makuha namin yung championship para sa Pilipinas (ang mas importante),” he added.
One of the tallest players on the team and the entire regional tournament, Delos Reyes expects tougher and bigger competition in the continental level as Gilas Youth gears up for the Asia Cup main tournament in August in Mongolia.
“Siguro po mag-a-adjust po ako sa posisyon ko. I think magwi-wing po ako, pero hindi ko pa alam. Kakayanin ko naman po yan. Paghahandaan ko,” he said.
Regardless of where he plays, Delos Reyes vows to give it his all for the country.
“Sobrang saya po kasi hindi ko ine-expect na makakapasok ako dito kasi marami pong batang gusto makapasok dito sa pinaglalaruan ko. Thankful ako kay God kung bakit nandito ako.”
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