IAN Sangalang scored a career-high 32 points on Wednesday night, but also had to work double on defense in his match-up against rookie Zavier Lucero during Magnolia’s PBA Philippine Cup win against Northport at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The veteran center admitted not having any idea on how the former University of the Philippines stalwart plays since it was only the first time he was ranged against Lucero.
But he liked their battles down low except for the fact the 6-foot-6 Lucero had been doing a lot of running inside the court.
“Okay na okay 'yung match-up. Medyo pinagod niya lang ako kasi takbo siya ng takbo,” a smiling Sangalang said. “Naka-ilang layups din siya sa fastbreak. Pero part of the game (yun).”
While Lucero came away with the best performance of his young pro career of 18 points and seven rebounds, Sangalang obviously won their head-to-head matchup after exploding for 22 points in the second half of Magnolia’s 104-97 win.
The 32-year-old former NCAA MVP was 14-of-20 from the field and grabbed 13 rebounds in his best game so far since scoring 29 points in a 105-103 win during Game 1 of the 2018 Philippine Cup finals against San Miguel.
Sangalang was only briefed on what Lucero actually does just before the game.
“Ngayon ko lang siya nakalaro. Hindi ko alam kung ano talaga yung laro niya,” said the big man product of San Sebastian. “At least before the game, na-explain sa akin kung ano yung ginagawa niya.”
The win snapped a two-game slide by Magnolia and evened their record at 2-2.
Lessons learned
And having finally matched up against Lucero, Sangalang said the next time he already knows how to attack and play against the rookie.
“Next time alam ko na kung ano yung gagawin ko,” he said.
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