EVEN Sean Alter is frank to admit that Saturday probably was his best game to date in Diliman.
“This is my third season with the team and this is, by far, my best game so far,” said the Fil-Am big after posting 13 points, six rebounds, and two blocks in the University of the Philippines’ 70-61 win over lowly University of the East.
READ: UP keeps putting pressure on No. 1 NU after romp over UE
Coming in with a lot of hype, the 6-foot-8 center has sat on the Fighting Maroons’ backburner for the better part of the last three seasons, ceding the spot to more experienced bigs like Malick Diouf, Quentin Millora-Brown, and Gani Stevens.
It also didn’t help that it has been an up-and-down journey in his first two seasons, logging seven minutes on average in his rookie year and seeing that go down to four minutes the following year.
But Alter knew that through it all, he just had to stay ready.
“My confidence, I’ve always try to keep it high,” he said, his trust in coach Goldwin Monteverde never wavering while maintaining his full faith in UP as a unit.
That was finally rewarded in this game, with Alter being the game-changer, as his career night also led to State U boosting its Final Four bid in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament after moving up to an 8-3 card.
“The reason I was able to get those points is because of my teammates and my coaches cause we’ve been practicing a lot,” the 21-year-old said, deflecting the credit and attributing it to his teammates.
“My connection with my teammates, that really showed. After a tough bucket, we really celebrate each other and we’re really close, a tightknit family. Also my coaches, after practice we’re at the gym working hard, working in all of our finishes and all of the things we try to do in the game.”
Sean picking up steam
What this game showed, however, is that Alter is ready to gain more responsibility on the floor, especially in this repeat bid for the Fighting Maroons.
“I just seized the opportunity I was given today. Being able to play the minutes I was given and have my teammates help me in those plays and rebounds, I just seized the opportunity,” he stated.
“Everyone’s gonna have their day, but today I feel like I was at the right place at the right time.”
And it’s only going to help Alter, and UP by extension, to gain more confidence as the season approaches its crescendo.
“I only see myself going up from here, not just me but the team as well. I just want to continue to move forward with that and to do the right things in the game,” he said. “We’ll continue to work hard and show what we’ve got.”
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