FEU head coach Sean Chambers sees more than just promise in rookie forward Kirby Mongcopa.
He sees a walking flashback.
To him, the 20-year-old has shades of two of the fiercest rivals he faced during his PBA days.
“Kirby reminds me of a combination of Vergel Meneses and Alvin Patrimonio,” Chambers told SPIN.ph.
“He can score, he can dribble. His feel for the game is like he's just a natural-born basketball player. He's still going through the process of getting into these game shape and stuff like that, so there's still ways for him to go.”
Much like the two local greats, Mongcopa has embraced the forward role to perfection for the Tamaraws.
READ: FEU stays alive as Mongcopa game-winner stuns La Salle
He has averaged 11.64 points, eight rebounds, 2.73 assists, and 1.36 blocks before turning in a statement 10-point, 10-rebound, seven-assist performance in the green-and-gold's 84-83 upset of championship contender La Salle.
At the right place, at the right time to receive Janrey Pasaol's outlet from the other end of the court, the do-it-all wing, indeed, channeled Patrimonio's court awareness coupled with Meneses' hops before drawing on both of their clutch genes for the short stab that proved to be the difference.
Then at the other end, he again pulled from 'Captain's' motor and 'Aerial Voyager's' agility to deny what would have been the Green Archers' own version of a game-winner.
'Pre-xit,' then Kirby entry
For his part, Mongcopa didn’t expect to make this kind of impact so early into his collegiate career, especially after years often playing second fiddle to his former high school running mate, Veejay Pre.
“Since high school, alam naman naming dalawa na magtutulungan talaga kami. Pero ‘di ko na rin naiisip ‘yan, kung ano ‘yung laro niya, kasi iba ‘yung laro niya at iba na rin ‘yung laro ko," he said.
“Alam na rin namin sa isa't-isa eh kung gaano kami ka-talented sa basketball. Naglalaro lang ako nang tama. Naglalaro lang ako ng basketball. Ginagawa ko lang ‘yung mga inaasahan ni coach Sean sa’kin.”
Now breaking out of his shell, Mongcopa continues to surprise Chambers with his rapid rise, especially considering how long he was sidelined.
“He's been injured for two years, so he's still raw. Kirby got cleared to play, to practice with us at the end of June,” Chambers said.
“He wasn't doing any preseason or anything like that until the end of June. When we went to Sacramento for the training camp, he was not allowed to go. So he's really been going since August.
“Sky's the limit for that guy. I mean, the kid's really talented and we're really happy to have him.”
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