XYRUS Torres cupped both hands as if in prayer after knockin down a crucial three-pointer that helped NLEX weathered the storm in the face of a Barangay Ginebra comeback on Wednesday night.
It was more a sigh of relief for Torres, who saw all his worries and frustration washed away upon seeing the three-point shot go in to help clinch the 89-86 win over Ginebra - NLEX's fourth in five games in the PBA Philippine Cup.
READ Bolick, Torres rescue NLEX in the face of a late Ginebra comeback
Until that time, the No. 30 pick (third round) in the Season 49 draft said his morale was down after he failed to catch a pass by Robert Bolick from the left corner, leading to a turnover that fed the fire of Ginebra's comeback.
The Far Eastern University product was also struggling with his shot, going 3-of-9 from the field until that big three.
“All throughout the game kasi, struggle ako offense and defense. Hindi ko makuha ‘yung momentum ko,” said Torres. “Kaya rin siguro na-shoot ‘yun kasi credit sa mga teammates and coaches ko kasi while nag-struggle ako, nandoon sila sa bench, sinasabihan ako na okay lang ‘yan.
“Parang gusto ko na umiyak eh, sabi ko,” said Torres of the Bolick pass that slipped through his hands. “Crucial eh. Natapat pa ako sa crucial. Parang may chance, malaki ‘yung chance namin na manalo tapos baka dahil sa turnover na ‘yun, mawala pa.
"Before that, ‘yung third quarter, masama din ‘yung defense ko, nafa-foul ako. Nawawalan na ako ng tiwala sa sarili ko.”
Even after he made that huge three, Torres missed two free throws with 11 seconds left that would have closed out the game for NLEX. Fortunately Ginebra failed to control the rebound and Bolick made two charities with 7.0 seconds left to settle the final score.
Torres said the gutsy three-pointer will be a huge boost to his confidence going forward.
“Sobrang laking tulong ito lalo na Ginebra pa ang kalaban. Tapos ilang seconds pa, natapat pa ako sa free throw, nag-mintis, nanghihinayang pa rin ako until now. Pero sabi nga ng mga coaches, learnings," said the NLEX guard.
"Matutunan ko ‘yan every time na mapunta sa sitwasyon na ‘yun. Sobrang makakatulong ‘yun sa akin kapag napunta uli ako sa sitwasyon na ‘yun,” said Torres.
Torres has claimed a spot in coach Jong Uichico's main rotation this conference and has been delivering big games, including a 28-point explosion in a win against Rain or Shine last April 12.
The NLEX rookie credits his consistent play to the extra work that the entire team has been putting in this conference.
“’Yung work ethic namin ng buong team, dati darating lang kami, practice lang. Ngayon, iba na. Darating kami early to work ‘yung skills with coach Emman (Monfort) at lahat ng coaches na nagbibigay ng skills sa amin, ‘yun ‘yung nakakatulong sa amin. Kaya rin ako nagiging consistent dahil sa mga tinatrabaho namin,” said Torres.
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