PLAYING in his first competitive 5-on-5 game in the last three years, Almond Vosotros was quick to spot something unusual.
Almond Vosotros on 5-on-5 return
“Nanibago ako nung una. Yung first three shots ko, sabi ko ‘parang ang laki ng bola.’ Nanibago talaga ako,” said Vosotros, acknowledged as the top player in the PBA 3x3.
As someone who’s been a fixture in the half-court game for the past two years, the 33-year-old Vosotros indeed, has become accustomed to the smaller size ball being used in 3x3 competitions compared to the full-court game.
But the adjustment wasn’t for long. As soon as he got the feel again for the bigger basketball, Vosotros said he began to settle down in the Tropang Giga’s PBA On Tour game against Rain or Shine.
“Nung third and fourth (quarters) ok na,” he said.
Vosotros was part of the entire TNT 3x3 champion team that was elevated by the Tropang Giga to bolster their shorthanded roster in the PBA On Tour.
Added to the team aside from Vosotros were half-court teammates Ping Exciminiano, Lervin Flores, and Gryann Mendoza.
It didn’t help any Vosotros and Co. were only told about the plan to let them play with the 5-on-5 team on the eve of the game against the Elasto Painters, making the transition a little bit confusing.
“Kanina (before the game) lang kami tinuruan ni coach Sandy (Arespacochaga) ng mga plays,” said Vosotros. “Hindi pa talaga kami nakapag-ensayo talaga sa 5-on-5.”
The short notice came just after the Triple Giga failed to advance in the quarterfinals of the PBA 3x3 First Conference Leg 2 and the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters in Macau last Sunday.
“Yung takbuhan nanibago rin ako nung first half,” added Vosotros.
But the shooting guard out of De La Salle got into a rhythm in the fourth period when he fired three straight from beyond the arc, the last of which gave the Tropang Giga a 92-87 lead with seven minutes left to play.
Too bad, the Tropang Giga failed to sustain the momentum and lost, 106-100, as Anton Assistio and Leonard Santillan came through with clutch baskets down the stretch.
Vosotros finished with 11 points and three assists in his return to the TNT 5-on-5 team for the first time since the 2020 Philippine Cup bubble in Clark, Pampanga.
He’s just thankful for the opportunity to play the full-court game again despite already establishing his own niche in the 3x3 game.
“Masaya kasi yung opportunity to play sa 5-on-5 andun pa rin, yung confidence (andun pa rin). Para in the long run kung sakaling dalhin kami sa 5-on-5 or 3x3, nandun pa rin kami, hindi kami nawawala,” said Vosotros. “So sobrang thankful kami sa binibigay ng management ng TNT and ng coaching staff.”
Vosotros can’t say for sure if they will continue to play in the preseason given that the 3x3 First Conference is ongoing, although there are also teams whose 3x3 players are likewise seeing action in the On Tour.
“Kung ano yung decision ng management, were family here, e. Kahit anong help para makatulong kami sa 5-on-5 gagawin namin,” he added.
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