GELO Santiago understands that with this being his final playing year, he may not be able to accomplish the same accolades as her sisters have done in National University.
After all, Dindin and Jaja's gaudy resumes in their time in Jhocson already speak for themselves that Gelo would be foolish not to aspire to have that same level of success for the gold-and-blue.
But he has a shot at achieving something his sisters have not: to be a champion.
READ: Napa's glue guys keep NU together after sorry loss to UP
"Gusto ko rin namang makagawa ng sarili kong name dito sa NU," Santiago admitted. "Pero dito sa team, pag sarili ko lang ang inisip ko, parang ang selfish ko naman."
Indeed, he has taken it to heart that when it comes to the Bulldogs, team always comes first.
"Kung anong role ko sa team, yung sa tingin kong mas makakatulong sa amin, yun lang ang gagawin ko," said the 6-foot-1 forward.
True enough, Santiago has done his part for NU in this UAAP Season 88, being one of coach Jeff Napa's reliable relievers in contributing to its early success.
Take his last game on Wednesday, for example, where Santiago scored four points in the Bulldogs' crucial 15-2 fourth quarter finishing kick which enabled them to come away with the 56-54 win over Adamson.
He ended up with nine points in that contest, not the most but ample enough to get his team over the hump.
It's understandable for graduating students like Santiago to feel the need for him to contribute and make his mark.
But being one of the veterans also puts him in a position of wisdom, knowing that his success coincides with the team's and that even in days where he can't find his shot, his peers are there to back him up.
"Nabu-build namin yung trust sa isa't isa. Kahit na nagsa-struggle ako, bukol nga sa ring, alam ko na papasok din yan," he said after going 3-of-12 from the field in the game.
"Yung confidence nila sa akin is dahil yun sa alam kong tiwala din sila sa akin. Bawat isa sa amin, nasa likod ng bawat isa. Saluhan lang kumbaga," he said.
And that's really how it is for Santiago, that he may not post MVP numbers like his ates did, but he can always find a way to help NU achieve the goals it set forth.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
