THE breakout game in the PBA Governors Cup semifinals finally came for Leonard Santillan in Game 4 on Sunday night.
And it needed a lot of prodding – apart from invectives – from coach Yeng Guiao for the 6-foot-4 forward to rise to the occasion.
Santillan came through with 20 points and six rebounds, while providing as the main support of import Aaron Fuller in the middle in Rain or Shine’s Game 3 win against the TNT Tropang Giga, 110-109, at the Dasmarinas City Arena in Cavite.
Guiao lauded Santillan for his effort, considering he’s been hard on the former De La Salle stalwart since the start of the best-of-seven semis.
“I was really hard on Santi the past two games. I was expecting a lot more from him and it’s a good thing he responded,” said the 65-year-old Rain or Shine mentor.
“Siguro asar na asar na siya sa akin dahil panay ang sigaw at mura ko sa kanya, kaya ayan pinakitaan niya ako.”
The 28-year-old native of Lapu-Lapu City shot 8-of-14 from the field spiked by a 4-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc.
He had 11 points in the second quarter and seven in the third as he helped the Elasto Painters build enough cushion and survived a strong endgame finish by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the rest of the Tropang Giga.
READ: Fuller saves day as Rain or Shine holds off TNT in Game 3
Guiao noted the stuff of a player Santillan is made of.
“Maraming narinig sa akin si Santi. So makikita mo yung karakter ng tao kung bibigay siya sa ganun or magre-respond siya,” said the Elasto Painters coach.
Santillan chose the latter, which all the more earned him the respect of his coach.
“That’s a good sign of his character, his personality, and his grit just to prove himself,” said Guiao.
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