JAMES Payosing is no stranger to being on big stages and under bright lights. After all, he was the Finals MVP in San Beda's NCAA Season 99 title run.
Still, the UAAP is an entirely different beast - and an adjustment period was to be expected.
That didn't last long for the 6-foot-2 swingman, though, as with averages of 7.3 points and 3.8 rebounds, as well as two 16-point performances against Ateneo and UE in Season 89, he is slowly but surely turning into a key cog for the Fighting Maroons.
But for Payosing, the drive goes deeper than just proving he can perform well on both collegiate stages. Rather, it's about making sure his time away to residency was worth it.
“Yung redemption ko talaga eh. Not just the crown, kundi sa sarili ko. Galing sa residency eh, so this year, may gigil talaga ako,“ he told SPIN.ph, talking about having to sit out last season after transferring from Mendiola to Diliman.
Pay's patience pays off
And as the 23 year old keeps rising in State U, he is keeping his promise to help out his new team in any way he can.
Be that putting on his trademark fearless forays right down the lane and into the ring or putting the clamps on the opponent's top gun, and even cleaning up the glass like he did with 12 rebounds against the Red Warriors, Payosing is just willing to work.
READ: UP condemns UE to share of second-longest losing streak
As he explained, “Sa ngayon, alam kong nag-mature na ako kasi 'di ko masyado iniisip yung sarili ko. 'Pag nasa taas ako, gusto ko sabay kami lahat.”
“Kasi dati, immature pa ako, gusto ko talaga magbakaw, gusto ko talaga magpakitang-gilas. Pero na-realize ko, nasa team sport kayo. So yun, kailangan mo makisama on and off the court.”
That desire to round out his game may just be what makes Payosing all the more dangerous as UP's not-so-secret weapon.
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