SHAWN Tuano has seen Ateneo at its best, but more times, at its worst in the three UAAP seasons he’s played.
And by no means has the ride been easy for the dynamic 20-year-old Blue Eagle.
After reaching the Final Four in his rookie year in Season 86, the blue-and-white hit rock bottom with 10 losses in a single campaign a year later — the worst showing for a Tab Baldwin-led Ateneo team.
A steady presence through it all, Tuano had one of his most important performances for Katipunan against no less than archrival La Salle in their first Season 88 clash on Sunday.
Scoring nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter saved the Blue Eagles from what would’ve been a titanic 33-point meltdown.
READ: Ateneo quells late La Salle uprising to stay spotless in UAAP Season 88
It was those surprise heroics Tuano just pulled off in front of a 17,185-strong crowd that remind him why he still keeps going for Ateneo through growing pains over the last three years.
“Performances like these are big for my confidence. This season has taught me a lot of lessons, very valuable lessons,” Tuano told SPIN.ph.
“To always stay ready, I think, is the most important lesson for me, and to always trust my work and have confidence in myself. I think that's the greatest lesson that I've been taught this year.
“This year was hard as hell, hard as heck for me, even in the offseason. A lot of ups and downs, more downs than ups, but just keep trusting in your work. Go back to the lab when things aren't working out, and when you get on the court, make the most of your opportunities.”
Having second thoughts
Tuano has long been that go-to sparkplug who hypes his teammates up from the sidelines and is always packed with energy and good vibes.
But beneath that radiant facade lies a humble baller who isn’t spared from doubts and second thoughts on what’s still there to fight for in his young career.
With one promising performance after the other, Tuano vows to overcome one big fight of his own in the midst of the Blue Eagles rather unexpected - for those outside their faithful, at least - perfect start.
“I think that's part of the game, though. Doubts are part of the game, no matter how much work you put in, no matter if you're Michael Jordan or LeBron James or Kobe Bryant, doubts are always going to be there, but you've got to have that mental toughness to put it away,” he said.
“And for me, it’s now just being a leader on the court and off the court as much as possible. ’I’ll be trying to lead the new guys, keeping them calm in moments like the fourth quarter, and just showing them that it's not to get our emotions disrupted by the crowd and by the momentum of the other team.”
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