Mike Nieto admits his doubters multiplied after Gilas call-up

'[After] nilagay ako ni coach Tab sa Gilas draft, hindi nag times two [ang doubters]. Nag times one million'
Feb 13, 2022
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Mike Nieto scored 21 points and hit four treys in his PBA debut with Rain or Shine.
PHOTO: PBA Images

FROM the time he picked up a basketball, Mike Nieto has played with a chip on his shoulder.

It was no different in his PBA debut.

During the 2019 Gilas special draft, he felt he had something to prove after he was selected by Rain or Shine, which really had no choice since Nieto was the only one left among the five national team mainstays in the pool.

“Gusto ko talaga makatulong in a positive way sa Rain or Shine,” said Nieto. “Nung 2019, nasa Gilas draft ako, I was the last pick. No choice ang Rain or Shine but kunin ako. Gusto ko ipakita sa kanila na maganda ang nakuha nila.”

On Saturday, Nieto scored a team-high 21 points on Saturday in Rain or Shine’s 104-90 victory over NorthPort. He also grabbed eight rebounds while shooting 4-of-7 from threes in an impressive debut in the pro ranks.

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    Nieto admitted his journey to the PBA was fuelled by doubters who taunted him saying he's not big enough to play forward, not talented enough to be taken by Gilas Pilipinas, and plainly just not good enough to reach this far in basketball.

    One thing non-believers didn't know was that Nieto was used to the pressure, being the son of a top Ateneo player in Jett Nieto.

    “Pressure is always there all the time. Pero kung anak ka ni Jett Nieto kasi, parang six years old pa lang, sanay na eh," the former Blue Eagles forward said. "I mean, hindi ka naglaro ng maayos, makakarinig kami ni Matt sa tatay namin.”

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    Impressive juniors career

    Referred to then as ‘Big Mike’, Nieto had a very successful juniors career with a resume that includes a 2014 UAAP juniors MVP, but critics jumped on him once he got to the college level, saying he is too small to play the frontcourt position.

    “Ever since grade school, heading to high school, sabi ng tao, hindi raw ako magdo-dominate sa loob. But then ang nangyari, nag-champion ako ng final year ko, nanalo ako ng MVP,” said Nieto.

    “Akala ko, heading into college, mawawala (doubters). Nag-times two. Ang taba ko daw. Eh di ang ginawa ko, nagpapayat ako and everything. I won three championships,” said Nieto.

    Mike Nieto says the doubters multiplied during his time with Gilas.

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    Doubters, he said, multiplied after the decision of then-Gilas coach Tab Baldwin to include him in the national pool and even make him team captain in international tournaments including last year’s Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia.

    “And then ngayon, nilagay ako ni coach Tab sa Gilas draft. Hindi nag times two. Nag times one million,” said Nieto, referring to the detractors.

    Nieto, 24, heard all the doubts. But he never allowed these doubts to detract him. Instead he aspired to prove the doubters wrong.

    "At the end of the day, if you have a lot of doubters, it’s in your control kung gusto mong patunayan kung tama sila o hindi," the 6-2 forward said. "And ako naman, wala naman akong masasabi because it’s really their opinion.”

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      Moving to the PBA, Nieto said he will be forever guided by lessons he learned from his parents, his uncle and ninong, Cainta mayor Kit Nieto, close family friend Monchang, and of course his former coaches led by Baldwin.

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      “I’m here kasi I learned from coach Tab na the most important game is the next game. And this one is the most important game. I treat any game na as the most important game kasi ‘yun ang mindset ko eh.

      "Pinalaki kami ni coach Tab and ni coach Sandy ng ganun, even sa Gilas. Playing in the OQT, qualifiers, playing against Korea. I’m just here to prove what coach needs from me and whatever I can help to team as well,” said Nieto.

      “At the end of the day, I’m here with Rain or Shine under coach Chris [Gavina] and coach Caloy [Garcia]. They trusted me na iline-up nila agad ako. I’m here na patunayan sa kanila na tama ang desisyon nila. I will help in any way I can,” he added.

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      Mike Nieto scored 21 points and hit four treys in his PBA debut with Rain or Shine.
      PHOTO: PBA Images
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