GIAN Mamuyac wore a new jersey in No. 5 with Phoenix Super LPG, signalling, indeed, of a new chapter in his career after four years with Rain or Shine.
“I’ve always wanted to wear No. 5 pero siyempre, si Kuya Gabe (Norwood) sa Rain or Shine,” Mamuyac said in his first interview with reporters since being traded along with a future second-round pick to Phoenix for a first-rounder.
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“Sakto din na si Kuya Perk (Jason Perkins), No. 3 sa Phoenix. Okay lang din. New number, new start, fresh start.”
Mamuyac said he hopes to match, if not surpass, the achievements he had during his time with the Elasto Painters now that he's with the Fuel Masters.
“Hopefully, mas successful ‘yung 5 sa 3,” Mamuyac said.
Judging from his first game with the Fuelmasters on Sunday, Mamu looked on the way to doing that. He had six points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field, to go with three assists in Phoenix Super LPG’s 81-78 win over Barangay Ginebra that stretch its unbeaten streak to three games last Sunday.
Mamuyac said the transition with Phoenix has been seamless, as he now joins some batchmates - either former teammates or foes in the UAAP when he was still playing for Ateneo.
“Change is always hard,” Mamuyac said about the trade. “Four years din ako sa Rain or Shine, lalo na bagong territory, mahirap talaga kasi aalis ka sa comfort zone mo.
"Pero these guys in the locker room, lahat sila, they have been nothing but great in terms of helping me catching up, welcoming me with open arms from the bosses to the coaches to the players and even sa staff. Ramdam ko agad ang pag-welcome nila which is malaking bagay for me.
“Nung una, natatakot ako na ano ba feeling ng ma-trade. Pero these guys, talagang tinutulungan nila ako. Naging maganda naman ang experience ko,” Mamuyac said.
Even though he is just days in his new team, Mamuyac likes Phoenix’s chances of making deep playoff runs in the coming conferences, just like with Rain or Shine where he was part of multiple semifinal appearances.
“I’m with Phoenix right now. I’m committed. And hopefully, kung ano man ‘yung na-achieve ko sa Rain or Shine, ‘yun mga semis, ma-achieve din namin dito.
“I think we really got something special eh. Most of my teammates, nakasama ko sa UAAP, kakampi, kalaban. Winners naman din ‘yung group na ‘to. Hopefully, magtuluy-tuloy pa ‘tong winning streak namin,” Mamuyac said.
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