FOR young basketball players, some moments mean a lot more than others, and sharing a collegiate basketball floor with one’s sibling fits is the perfect example of that.
That’s exactly what Deo and Ian Cuajao finally ticked off their bucket list last Friday, as Deo’s Letran faced off against the rebuilding San Sebastian in the Playtime Cares Filoil 18th Preseason Cup.
The rookies took the load for the Recto squad with the younger Cuajao dropping 15 points, four rebounds, and two steals to flank Andre Lumanag’s game-high 19 points.
READ: Rampaging Knights clinch q'finals berth in Filoil Preseason
However, Deo Cuajao, Jonathan Manalili, and Jimboy Estrada’s combined 31 points left the 0-8 San Sebastian looking like deer in headlights.
After the game, Ian savoured the chance to play against one of the earliest people he looked up to.
“Dream come true, kasi idol ko’yan eh. Nilolook up ko siya as a player,” he said.
As for Deo, he detailed the nerves bothering the brothers the night before, as the two currently live together in Manila.
“Actually kagabi hirap kami matulog kasi alam namin na first time. Kumbaga may halong excitement pati pressure,” he said.
Despite the many NCAA seasons under their belt and numerous leagues they’ve participated in before, this is actually the first time ever that the Midsayap natives played against each other.
“Nag 1-on-1 kami, naglalaro kami sa mga ligang labas, magkasama kami. Pero di pa kami nagkalaban sa isang team nang school-to-school,” Ian said. “First time lang.”
And though it could be the perfect opportunity for a feel-good game especially for the brothers’ loved ones, Deo was not having none of it, wanting nothing but Ian’s absolute best when tip-off started.
“Sabi ko sa kanya ‘Alam mo yan, alam mo sa sarili mo na di kita pagbibigyan. Walang kapatid kapatid, trabaho kung trabaho,” he said.
And there was certainly no love lost after their first encounter as collegiate players.
“‘Di niya pa oras. Oras pa ng matatanda,” Deo said to which Ian swiftly responded to with:
“Babawi ako sa kanya. Sa NCAA tayo magkita.”
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