IT was perhaps the most trying five seconds in the playing career of Paul Varilla.
But short as the stint may be, he’s nonetheless grateful for the faith shown to him by TNT coach Chot Reyes.
Although admitting not being surprised when he was called in to replace a hobbling Rondae Hollis-Jefferson with 21 seconds to go and the Tropang Giga nursing a slim 79-76 lead over Barangay Ginebra Kings late in regulation in Game 7, Varilla was confident he'd be be up to the task with no less the championship on the line.
READ Chot on why Varilla ended up guarding Brownlee late in Game 7
His mission – defend Barangay Ginebra’s fabled import Justin Brownlee.
“Throughout all of the series, I know I haven’t been inside. But I know I’m just ready to go no matter what,” said Varilla of that tense moment inside the jampacked Smart Araneta Coliseum as TNT led by three with the ball in Ginebra's hands.
That the Tropang Giga had been simulating defending Brownlee in practice more than added to the enthusiasm of the 31-year-old wingman.
“During practice I will be Brownlee, so on scrimmages I will be Brownlee,” he shared.
But come the actual play, the Ginebra import was just too good to be denied, draining a step back three over Varilla’s outstretched arm, tying the game at 79 and sending the game into overtime.
After calling a timeout, Reyes recalled Varilla to the bench and sent Hollis-Jefferson back to the game.
The TNT Fil-Am said he tried to deny Brownlee to the best of his ability.
“I know Justin made that shot, but that’s Justin Brownlee, you know. I played my best defense on him and he made the shot. That’s how it went,” said Varilla.
“I should have known better on his (Brownlee) move, but it’s different when you play the real Justin Brownlee. That guy is a legend. I got to give everything on him.”
Reyes later admitted it was really a gamble on TNT’s part to send Varilla in during that crucial stretch of the game.
“I think I almost paid for that gamble of getting a fresh guy, a cold guy in Paul Varilla,” he said. “But we’ve really prepared for the whole series for such a situation like this.
“Unfortunately, Justin did what Justin does. Unbelievably difficult and great shot. How many times did we see him do it and send it into overtime.”
Despite him failing to thwart Brownlee’s shot, Varilla nonetheless remained grateful for the confidence given him by Reyes to take on such a daunting task and playing perhaps, the longest five seconds of his career.
“It says a lot. I just thank the coaches that they trust me at the time, that they put me in that position especially in that moment, a very big moment. I just want to say thank you to coach Chot for allowing me to be in that moment,” he said.
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