GELO Crisostomo remains the same: meek, shy, and just that simple guy smiling on the sidelines.
As the Gen Z call it, nonchalant.
But on the court, Crisostomo is anything but.
Entering his third year for University of Santo Tomas, the Cagayan native has shown flashes of his immense potential, taking charge in the team’s buildup for UAAP Season 88.
Just take how the 6-foot-5 forward performed in the PlayTime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup where he was the one constant for the Growling Tigers in averaging 14.6 points and 8.0 rebounds.
Those commanding performances have left his UST coaches astonished, with a few even regarding him as a superstar-in-the-making in Espana - which has time and again celebrated long-limbed athletic forwards in the vein of Dylan Ababou, Kevin Ferrer, and Rhenz Abando.
Quote Crisostomo on this
Yet Crisostomo credited his teammates, particularly Forthsky Padrigao, for the leap he’s currently making.
“Si Forthsky talaga sa mga teammates ko. Sinasabi niya lang sa akin na wag ko masyadong intindihin yung coaches 'pag napapagalitan ako and sinasabi niya na lang na bumawi and mag-focus ako sa laro ko,” he said.
This boost from his seniors only fuels Crisostomo to devote his self for this campaign, especially with this being the final year of Padrigao and captain Nic Cabanero.
And with the upward trajectory that UST has had over the past two seasons under coach Pido Jarencio, the 22-year-old has the confidence to believe that this will be a special year for the Growling Tigers.
“Gusto pa naming silang makasama ng mas matagal. So para sa amin, buhos talaga, ibibigay namin yung 100-percent best namin para makatulong sa team at makatuntong sa Finals,” he said.
What’s not going to be different, however, is how Crisostomo handles himself when it comes to the media.
“Confident ako sa laro, pero sa interviews, kabado pa rin ako,” he said grinning.
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