T-MC Ongotan isn't a hypocrite to say that he wouldn't want to take home an award this NCAA Season 102.
"Di ka naman hihindi pag ibinigay, di ba?," he told Spin.ph.
After all, these individual milestones eluded the spunky Arellano guard last year after he was deemed ineligible to win following an ejection.
READ: Arellano books QF spot as it ends skid at San Sebastian's expense
This time, Ongotan believes he's not just better as a player, but also smarter and wiser for the Chiefs.
"Yung last season, pinagsisihan ko talaga yun," said the 5-foot-9 guard from Bulan, Sorsogon who was running fourth in the MVP race last year.
"Natutunan kong maging mas composed, na kung anong ibigay ng depensa at mangyari sa loob ng court, tanggapin ko lang at focus lang sa laro. Yung mga nangyari sa akin last season, motivation siya sa akin para dito sa final year ko."
Taking those lessons to heart, Ongotan has been showing it with his play.
As much as he has maintained his high scoring ways for Arellano averaging 17.0 points through 11 games, he has also done more, tallying 5.36 rebounds, 2.55 assists, and 1.55 steals.
In the process, the Chiefs have also enjoyed the fruits of his labor, with them clinching a quarterfinal spot with their 6-6 win-loss, good for second in Group B.
And he's doing that despite the pains that he's feeling, most notably the sprained right ankle that has bothered him throughout this late stretch of the eliminations.
That's how driven Ongotan is for this campaign.
"Sinasabi ko sa teammates ko na pahirapan na nila ako sa practice pa lang para pagdating sa game, alam ko na kung paano mag-adjust," stated the Bulan, Sorsogon native who has once again made a legitimate case for the MVP plum.
"Meron kaming goal as a team na gusto naming makuha eh. Sobrang thankful ako na mat chance ulit akong makakuha ng award, pero yung focus ko naman sa team lang at sa goal namin. Trabaho lang."
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