GIAN Mamuyac’s voice was cracking when he spoke to reporters after Rain or Shine was ousted by San Miguel in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup semifinals.
“Sayang. Akala ko makaka-isa na po kami,” said Mamuyac after a tightly-fought Game 4 which San Miguel won, 107-100, to clinch a finals slot. “Sabi ko nga, in order to turn things around, dapat makaisa kami. Akala ko ‘yun na ‘yun."
Mamuyac's hot night spoiled
What added to Mamuyac's disappointment was the fact that he had a huge outing. The former Ateneo player had 30 points, shooting 11-of-18 from the field.
It was the second-best in his career, according to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon, which is just three points shy of Mamuyac's personal record which, interestingly, he also made against San Miguel in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup.
Though on the losing end, Mamuyac said the team had overachieved and there are a lot of things to be optimistic about. He said reaching the semifinals, a first for the franchise since the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup, was on top of that list.
“At least, learning experience for everyone lalo na bata kami,” Mamuyac said. “Nakapasok din kami sa semifinals, malaking bagay ‘yun for a young team. Absorb lang namin lahat ng lessons and hopefully, come back stronger next conference which is in three months.”
In order for Rain or Shine to return to the Final Four, the 6-foot-2 Mamuyac said they need to maintain their thirst for success, and use the defeat against San Miguel as a springboard.
“Masaya po kami na nakapag-semis pero disappointing kasi we felt like we could have won games in the semifinals. Ibang experience din ‘yun kung napahaba namin ‘yung series. Mas mahaba sana ang series, mas marami kami matututunan,” said Mamuyac.
“Sayang lang pero at least, na-prove namin na kaya naming makarating dito at sana, ma-adik kami sa feeling na ‘to. Sana marating namin (semifinals) every conference at higitan pa namin,” he added.
Mamuyac played down his performance in Game Four, and said it only reflects how anyone at Rain or Shine can explode at any given time.
“Siguro, nagkataon lang na this game, ako ‘yung suwerte. Even sa system namin at sa composition ng team namin, every night, nagkakaroon ka ng best player o top scorer lalo na under kay coach Yeng [Guiao]. Last game namin, six points ang ako at iba ang nag-top score,” said the 25-year-old Mamuyac.
“Siguro ngayon, ako ‘yung sinuwerte, ako ‘yung buwenas,” he added.
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