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    Raul Soyud reflects on Guiao tongue-lashing after signing new deal

    Most Improved Player candidate says Guiao scolding spurred him to be a better player
    Jan 8, 2021
    PHOTO: Marlo Cueto

    RAUL Soyud's reward for his hardwork and fine play in the 2020 PBA bubble season came in the form of a new NLEX contract.

    He's over the moon.

    “Thankful po ako sa management lalo na kay coach kasi na-extend ‘yung contract ko sa kanila,” said Soyud. “Medyo matagal na rin ako sa kanila kaya blessing po talaga ‘yung pasok sa 2021 kasi nakapirma agad.

    "Tsaka kahit nag-start ang COVID, hindi ako nawalan ng trabaho.”

    The former West Negros University and University of the Philippines standout was a vital part of the Road Warriors last year as he averaged 10 points and 6.82 rebounds - well above his averages of 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds the previous season.

    The 29-year-old Soyud became a candidate for the Most Improved Player award in the bubble.

    “Nagulat din ako na nasama ‘yung pangalan ko sa list ng Most Improved [candidates],” said Soyud.

    During the bubble, NLEX coach Yeng Guiao lauded Soyud's impressive play that he said, tongue in cheek, of course, was a byproduct of the tongue lashing he was giving to his big man in practices.

    Guiao said: “I guess umuubra na naman ‘yung sigaw at mura ko kay Raul kaya gumaganda laro niya.”

    Soyud confirmed Guiao was indeed hard on him in practices, but said never took it personally.

    “Sa ensayo, hindi naman po nagagalit si coach. Pero kapag sa akin, nagagalit siya. Minsan, hindi ko daw nasusunod ‘yung mga gusto niyang gawin. Simula nung nagagalit siya sa akin, lalo kong pinagbubutihan ‘yung ginagawa ko sa ensayo.

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      "Feeling ko, mino-motivate lang ako ni coach kaya pinapansin niya ako. Sa tingin ko naman, kapag hindi na ako pinansin ni coach, malamang wala nang gana si coach sa akin," the NLEX big man added.

      “Nung lalo siyang nagagalit sa akin, lalo ko naman po pinagbubutihan at sinisipagan ‘yung mga ginagawa ko sa ensayo. Wala ‘yun sa akin. Para naman po sa akin ‘yun kaya ginaganun ako ni coach. Hindi naman niya siguro gaganunin pag wala siyang nakikitang maigagaling pa po ako.

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      "Sinusunod ko na lang po. Kaya siguro nung bubble, naglalaro ako ng maayos kasi parang nasanay na ako na nagagalit si coach. Pagbutihan ko na lang kaya kahit anong mangyari, okay ang kinalabasan,” said Soyud.

      The NLEX big man also said he took it upon himself to improve after the Road Warriors lost starting center Poy Erram in a trade to TNT.

      “Madadagdagan ng konti ‘yung playing time ko pero nung offseason na ‘yun, sabi ko sa sarili ko, i-grab ko ‘yung opportunity na ibibigay ni coach kaya po sinisipagan ko lang para mapansin ako ni coach,” said Soyud.

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        After his contract renewal, Soyud vowed not to rest on his laurels.

        “Sipag lang naman po ang meron ako. Hangga’t kaya ko pong magsipag at mag-tiyaga, ganun lang din po ang gagawin ko. Itutuloy ko lang po lalo na may baby na ako,” said Soyud.

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        PHOTO: Marlo Cueto
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