BRYAN Santos delivered a standout performance on Sunday night, marking another highlight in a budding PBA career.
His stellar showing couldn't have come at a better moment, propelling Converge to its maiden victory in the Philippine Cup and breaking an embarrassing 12-game losing streak dating back to the last conference.
The No. 14 pick in the recent draft fired 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting from threes to help the FiberXers beat Meralco, 104-99, on Sunday.
With his unique skill set especially his ability to shoot from the outside, the Converge second-round pickhas been given the green light by Converge head coach Aldin Ayo to shoot.
Santos said he strived to repay Ayo's faith
“Sobra sobra na ‘yung binibigay na kumpiyansa sa akin ni coach, bakit hindi ko pa gagawin ‘yung trabaho at ‘yung binibigay na role sa akin,” said Santos. “Hindi ko rin ineexpect na bibigyan niya ako ng ganun kalaking minutes.”
Ayo said he has full faith and confidence in Santos - the reason the FiberXers drafted him in the second round of the Season 48 draft.
Ayo said he had an eye on Santos since he was the coach of University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP when he saw him play for the Technological Institute of the Philippines.
“Actually, TIP pa lang,” said Ayo, referring to his interest in Santos. “Ayaw lang pumunta sa akin. TIP, kinukuha ko na sa UST. Pero nakapunta siya sa UST, I was the one who brought him to UST kaso wala na ako doon.”
'Hinanap ko'
“Pagdating ko sa PBA, hinahanap ko,” said Ayo.
Ironically, Santos was playing for the 3x3 team of Meralco, the team that Converge defeated on Sunday, when Ayo came looking for him again.
“Actually, Meralco ang kukuha dito kasi nasa 3x3 ito ng Meralco. They already have plans for him. Ayaw niya pumunta sa akin kasi nakausap na daw siya na papipirmahan siya. Sabi ko, hindi, kami ang kukuha sa 'yo,” said Ayo.
Santos said he was not aware of Ayo's bid to recruit him during his TIP days and only moved to UST after the school’s sports program was disbanded.
“Nag-pandemic po, na-disband ‘yung TIP,” said Santos, when asked why he eventually transferred to UST where he played in the 2022 UAAP season.
“Nung nasa TIP kami, hindi ko alam na kinukuha ako,” said Santos.
Santos urged to shoot
Following their win on Sunday, Ayo said he will continue to encourage Santos to take the outside shots as Converge looks to end its season on a high note.
“In terms of confidence na binibigay ko, namumura ko nga ito kapag hindi tumitira eh. I’ve been telling him that he can play, he can shoot, as long as he does his part, I’m going to give him the green light to shoot,” said Ayo.
“Be unconscious. ‘Wag ka na mag-isip ng kung ano-ano. ‘Wag mong sisihin sarili mo. You know that you can shoot, take it. ‘Yun ang mentality niya,” said Ayo.
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