UNDERMANNED is one of the few words to describe St. Benilde facing Letran in its Group B matchup last Wednesday.
But while the Blazers missed five players – including reigning MVP Allen Liwag and guard Gab Cometa – it helped a lot that one of their leaders in Tony Ynot made himself available in that all-important game against the Knights – a game which they won handily, 95-80 on Wednesday at the Playtime Filoil Center.
READ: Charles Tiu lauds depleted CSB after posting gutsy win vs. Letran
Ynot, part of the NCAA Mythical Team last season, missed the first two games for the Blazers as he continued to deal with ankle issues – something that’s troubled him since the Season 100 finals against Mapua. .
Head coach Charles Tiu initially scheduled Ynot’s return for their next game, but given their current state the six-foot-one guard opted to expedite the comeback.
“Well, actually he was telling me target niya was the JRU game, which was our next game,” Tiu explained.
“But he all of a sudden texted me noong Monday night after our practice. Sabi niya, laro na raw siya.”
Ynot didn’t hit a single field goal in 16 minutes of action, finishing with just a single point but he was still a net positive for the Blazers as his playmaking and perimeter defense made a difference – after finishing with a team high five assists to go along four boards.
“First win ko, first game agad. So yun, sobrang saya at sarap sa pakiramdam,” he claimed.
“Kulang kami point guard kanina, nawala pa si Ian. So yun, ginawa ko yung point guard. Di naman talaga ako maglalaro ng point guard, shooting guard naman talaga ako. So ginawa ko lang yung best ko at parang yun, manalo,” he added.
“Sobrang saya siyempre kasi ilang months din ako hindi nagbabasketball. So yun, [sobrang saya] nung nakabalik ako at ngayon nanalo pa kami,” he added.
With Cometa still recovering, and Ian Torres about to serve a suspension after getting ejected early in the game, Tiu will rest a little easier knowing that Ynot is back with no restrictions.
He will still need to get his legs back under him, but having his guidance and plug-and-play energy there will surely do wonders for the Blazers.
“I think just his presence really helps us. His leadership, the energy he gives us. He talks a lot, and the guys really respect him. So it's a big plus for us that he's there to give us another dimension,” Tiu shared.
“Si Tony naman fighter naman yan. So as long as he's out there, he wants to compete. I hope he can just continue to stay in shape,” he added.
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