AWAY from the limelight of the entertainment business, Mac Guadaña feels refreshed to be back in his element inside the basketball court.
"Excited ulit ako to feel the NCAA vibes," the senior guard said, marking his return in the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup.
Coming back to Lyceum for his final year, the 5-foot-11 playmaker cherishes this final go-round with the Pirates, knowing that unlike the past, he's now seen as the elder statesman of this crew.
"Wala na eh. Last playing year ko na sa NCAA, so gusto kong makapag-perform para sa LPU," he said.
It wasn't an easy path back for the Tagaytay City native.
Forced to sit out the past season due to a nagging knee injury, Guadaña found himself making a detour to the showbiz world, first as a model and then a relationship with actress-singer Rita Daniela.
Through everything, all he wanted was to return to peak form once more.
"There were a lot of struggles. But getting better naman," he said.
Setting Lyceum's foundation for the future
Now, Guadaña isn't just aiming for a grand comeback. He's also looking to pay it forward to his successors, particularly incoming first-year player Matthew Rubico.
"Sobrang ok namin kasi alam mo kung anong quality ng player si Matt. Galing din siya ng LPU-Cavite at nagpang-abot din kami nung last playing year ko dun," he said.
"Pero siyempre, ngayon lang ulit kami magsasama and malaki na yung pinag-iba ng mga laro namin. Ang maganda lang is ok yung relationship namin kasi naiintindihan niya kung paano patakbuhin yung team kaya tiwala din ako sa kanya."
READ: Rubico brings lessons from La Salle to new voyage with Lyceum
Guadaña understands that the upcoming Season 102 won't be smooth sailing, but as long as Lyceum works together as one unit, they'll have nothing to be ashamed of.
"In terms of the lineup, ok naman kami. Marami pa kaming kailangang ayusin, pero yung playstyle lang talaga kasi may mga bata at may mga beterano. So kailangan mag-click kaming lahat at ma-figure out namin kung paano kami magko-connect," he said.
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