MONBERT Arong wasted no time atoning for his worst game of the season.
A game after a four-minute non-performance in Far Eastern University's 64-61 win over University of the East at the end of the eliminations, Arong finished with 13 points in 22 minutes in the Tamaraws' 62-61 win over Ateneo in the UAAP Final Four.
FEU coach Nash Racela said he didn’t have to say anything to motivate Arong after the letdown against the Red Warriors, saying he was confident the Cebuano hotshot will find his way back on his own.
“It wasn’t me. It was Monbert finding his game back,” Racela said.
Arong said he never lost his confidence and his faith after the poor game against UE.
“Naghihintay lang ako. Inalay ko ‘yung game ko sa family ko kasi ayaw ko pa matalo. Credit to Sto. Nino de Cebu na alam ko may plano siya sa akin. Everytime na nakaka-shoot ako, sabi ko laging, ‘To God Be The Glory.’ Confident ako na makukuha ko ‘yung game ko,” said Arong.
[See Thirdy Ravena stays defiant after deflating Ateneo defeat]
Apart from Raymar Jose and his 20-point, 23-rebound game, Arong had the biggest imprint on Saturday's game as he scored nine points in the fourth quarter which allowed the Tamaraws to overhaul a 10-point deficit.
Racela said that proved to be the biggest difference between FEU's two losses to Ateneo in the eliminations and the win on Saturday that forced a do-or-die match for a place in the finals.
“That’s the story of the two elimination round games na biglang lumaki ‘yung lamang nila and we really had a hard time catching up. Today, nandoon lang kami. It was really within reach. The biggest lead was 10,” said Racela.