KIRBY Mongcopa finally played in the Smart Araneta Coliseum, and he put up exceptionally better numbers than in his debut.
FEU’s rookie forward put up 16 points, eight rebounds, and two steals, while going 3-of-5 from downtown which unfortunately went down the drain after the Tamaraws fell to the NU Bulldogs, 84-68.
READ: Balanced National U mauls FEU to move to share of first
Moncopa admitted to nerves, especially playing at the historic venue for the first time.
“Parang kinabahan ako, ang crowded.”
But in times like this, Mongcopa can always look back at the words of wisdom imparted by fellow Dumagueteño in now PBA star Calvin Oftana who reminded Mongcopa that pressure will always be his friend.
“Naisip ko lang yung sinabi ni kuya Calvin noong nag-talk siya sa amin, na mas maganda pag may kaba ka maglaro, kasi daw para mailalabas ko galing ko.“
The tip worked wonders with Mongcopa performing well on both ends of the floor, a far cry from his seniors debut last week where he scored just two points off the bench, shooting one-for-seven while turning the ball over four times in the overtime loss to Ateneo.
But for the former UAAP high school finals MVP, those numbers won’t mean anything until it produces a win.
“Syempre masaya ako, pero di pa enough yung ginagawa ko ngayon. Marami pa akong tatrabahuin para sa next game,” he said.
“Kailangan lang namin gawin ng tama yung pinapagawa ng coaches para sa next game. Di naman maganda na talo lagi.”
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