MO DIASSANA understands that the foreign student-athlete (FSA) spot for National U is his for the taking.
But two years since suffering an ACL injury in his left knee, the Malian big is just focused on working himself back to form.
"Right now, I feel confident and I feel much stronger. But for the meantime, I'm still getting my rhythm," said Diassana, who is producing solid numbers of 7.3 points and 9.0 rebounds for the Bulldogs in the ongoing 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup.
It wasn't easy, but Diassana said that the recovery allowed him to really focus on himself in preparation for this comeback tour.
"It made me grow," he remarked.
What's NU is old
Fortunately for Diassana, he's gotten nothing but full support from his coaches, particularly coach Jeff Napa.
"Coach Jeff told me to not put too much pressure on myself and just focus on the defense first and the offense will come," he said.
Napa, for his part, is clear on what he expects from his 6-foot-9 big man.
"No rush para sa kanya," the outspoken mentor said. "I laid down what he needs to do in this offseason. Day by day, I just give him the minutes to get his full confidence sa court kasi ang usapan naman is yung UAAP. Ang preparation ko sa kanya is to be prepared, to get his confidence back little by little kasi it will benefit the team talaga."
Indeed, Napa really meant it.
With no other FSA backstopping Diassana, Napa is taking it upon himself to be on the ears of the 22-year-old center.
"Kaya nga ang sabi ko, ako muna ang kapalitan niya. Just in case na ma-down siya, alam niyang nandito ako to support him, para alalayan siya," said the shot-caller. "At least matutulungan ko siya, maga-guide ko talaga siya."
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