BY John Miles Arcenal
After spending over a year on the sidelines, FEU forward Kirby Mongcopa is finally showing the promise that once made him one of the Tamaraws’ most intriguing prospects.
The 6-foot-4 first-year player posted 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and a steal in the green-and-gold's statement win at the expense of Ateneo - a performance that underscored how he’s starting to get into his groove under coach Sean Chambers.
READ: Bautista, FEU keep Ateneo reeling to start second round
“Sumusunod lang ako sa system ni coach Sean and nag-aadjust na rin ako sa role ko and sa team ko,” Mongcopa told SPIN.ph.
“Kay coach Sean lang, sinasabi niya, ‘Tumira ka lang, makukuha mo rin ‘yan.’ May tiwala siya sa mga player niya eh.”
It hasn’t been an easy road for FEU, as they opened the season with a string of close losses that tested their composure and chemistry.
And don't forget that Mongcopa himself was on the comeback trail from a freak accident and succeeding knee injury - two years removed from celebrating a championship and Finals MVP award in the UAAP juniors.
All those, though, the 20 year old has used as fuel for his fire.
“Ginawa nga naming motivation ‘yun, nando’n na kami, so pa-unti-unti lang, one game at a time lang,” he shared.
Tamaraws being brave
Now on a two-game winning streak and improving to 3-5, the Tamaraws are starting to look like a different squad - more composed, more confident, and finally closing out games they once let slip away.
“Nirespeto lang namin ‘yung Ateneo and ‘yung mga mali namin last game na natalo kami, ‘di na namin iniisip ‘yun. Iniisip namin ngayon kung paano ‘yung game plan ni coach Sean,” he added.
Mongcopa also credited his Baby Tamaraws batchmates Janrey Pasaol and Jedric Daa for guiding him both on and off the court.
As he put it, “Sobrang laki ng tulong nila lalo na si Janrey and Jed, pati sa off-court sobrang dikit naming tatlo talaga. Sila ‘yung mas may experience sa UAAP, sila ‘yung may mas alam sa akin.”
With his rhythm back and his mindset locked in, Mongcopa’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time for FEU, looking to charge head on right into the playoff picture.
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