IT was all getting to be too much for La Salle forward Luis Pablo in the past week.
The Green Archers were preparing for a colossal contest opposite modern-day rival University of the Philippines in the 2025 Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, where the two teams have battled over the title in the last two years - just like they have done in the UAAP.
Not only that, though, Pablo was also facing off with the team he committed to and played his collegiate rookie season for.
"To be honest, mga three days before the game, masyado ko siyang iniisip. Buti kinausap ako ng mga coaches na maging kalmado lang and wag masyado i-overthink. Before the game, iniisip ko pa rin, pero nung nandun na ako sa game, inayos ko na yung mindset ko na isiipin na normal game lang 'to," he told SPIN.ph.
Settled down and focused up, the 6-foot-7 big was key in La Salle exacting a measure of revenge on the Fighting Maroons, contributing 11 points, six rebounds, and two assists through 22 minutes in their 106-99 victory.
READ: Behind Cortez, La Salle exacts measure of revenge on UP in Filoil Preseason
It wasn't too long ago when Pablo was hailed as the NCAA Season 98 juniors MVP while playing for La Salle Green Hills, with his unrelenting motor powering the Greenies to the finals. Afterwards, he committed to State U before averaging 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in UAAP Season 86.
He then decided to come home to the green-and-white, and now nearing his 21st birthday, he is, slowly but surely, regaining his belief in himself.
"Sobrang surreal feeling na green na talaga ulit ang suot ko. May pressure, siyempre, pero para sa'kin, good pressure siya," he said.
Last, but not Luis
Make no mistake about it, Pablo is no longer dwelling on what could've been in Diliman.
Rather, he's all in on reminding just about everybody of what he can do - just like he did when he posted per game counts of 17.6 points, 13.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks in his MVP campaign.
As all eyes are honed in on La Salle's plethora of high-profile recruits in the likes of Mason Amos, Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, and Lebron Daep, Pablo believes he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath.
Still, he knows full well that for that to come true, he has to prove himself anew. And for him to do so, he has to work harder than he ever has.
"Imbes na i-treat ko siya in a bad way na ba't ganun, sila lang na-aacknowledge, ok siya para sa'kin kasi gusto ko ilagay yung sarili ko out of my comfort zone. Gusto kong maging underdog," he said.
"Gusto kong sobrang pagtrabahuan ko na kapag nakilala nila ulit ako, mas maganda yung feeling kasi alam ko sa sarili kong pinaghirapan ko ulit na makabalik sa taas."
Without a doubt, Amos, Baclaan, Cortez, and Daep are all primetime players in their own right - but so is Pablo.
Now, it's all about the self-professed underdog making a name for himself once more en route to a return to the top of the mind.
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