HIS height and shifty plays have many Filipino basketball fans easily relating to Macau gunner Damian Chongqui.
And the 27-year-old guard is ready to embrace the role if it meant inspiring other players of his stature.
“I’m relatable for the Philippines as a small guard. The PBA or the MPBL, there’s a lot of talented, smaller guards,” he pointed out.
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“I’m just being myself and showing that I can play at a high level.”
On Wednesday night, the 5-foot-8 guard once again stood tall on the Ninoy Aquino Stadium floor finishing with 29 points as the Giant Pandas rallied for a 96-92 win over Terrafirma Dyip in the Governors’ Cup.
The Baltimore, Maryland native poured 13 points in the final period, including the two insurance free throws that clinched Macau’s second straight win for a 2-4 record.
Chongqui added three assists and three steals as he complemented import De’Vondre Perry, who had a double-double of 34 points and 14 rebounds.
Behind his numbers, Chongqui also had to endure a deep thigh contusion that has been causing him pain on and off the floor.
But he doesn’t mind it as long as he serves as motivation for small guys out there dreaming of playing the sport.
“I hope I can inspire guys smaller than me, or that’s been overlooked or undersized to play at a high level anywhere that maybe,” said Chongqui.
“I’m blessed to wake up every day, to play in the Philippines in the PBA, or play anywhere in the world,” he added. “So if I got breath in my lungs, I’m going out there and give everything I got.”
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