AMIEL Acido knew that he had to seize the moment when his number was called.
What he did not expect was him fronting bigger opposition when University of Santo Tomas fought La Salle on Saturday.
“Medyo nagulat din ako sa adjustments, na malalaki yung binabantayan ko,” said Acido, as he became a relief forward backing up Gelo Crisostomo with rookie Koji Buenaflor down with a flu.
But much to Acido’s surprise, he did a decent job defending the Green Archers’ formidable frontcourt, matching up with likes of Mike Phillips, Mason Amos, and Luis Pablo and keeping them occupied while also providing support to onetime UAAP Boys' MVP and first-ever Best Foreign Student-Athlete Collins Akowe in the paint.
And all that effort did reflect on the stat sheet, as the former NCAA Juniors MVP registered 13 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal off the bench with the Growling Tigers earning the drought-ending 93-84 victory vs. their Taft rivals.
Pido did-o
For Acido, it was all a matter of repaying the faith that the staff led by coach Pido Jarencio has in him.
“Nagulat din ako kasi coming from not a good start last game, napuri naman ako nila coach,” said the 6-foot-3 winger, who averaged 3.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10 minutes of play in his rookie season a year ago.
“Kaya rin ganoon kataas yung kumpyansa ko dahil din sa mga coaches ko. Lagi kong iniisip na ayaw kong sayangin yung chance na binibigay nila sa akin.”
If Acido continues to play this way, he’ll just become another weapon to this dangerous black-and-gold crew chasing the crown this UAAP Season 88.
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