Rookie Aljun Melecio had ice in his veins in his UAAP Seniors Finals debut
After the UAAP board declared Aljun Melecio as this season’s top rookie, Melecio did little celebrating, making his actions do the talking.
A product of De La Salle-Zobel, the former UAAP Juniors MVP admitted that he was overwhelmed by the 16,000 strong that was on hand for Game One of the UAAP Season 79 Men’s Basketball Finals.
“At first siguro before the game super kinabahan ako kasi di ba first time ko na Ateneo-La Salle [Finals],” he admitted.
Seeing his first recruit rattled by the moment, La Salle head coach Aldin Ayo told the 18-year-old to not cave in to the game and let the game come to him.
“Kinausap naman ako ni coach na, just take good shots, good decision-making, discern mo kung pano ka maglaro,” Melecio recalled.
“Parang normal game land daw dapat.”
And when the Blue Eagles were making their rally, it was Melecio who silenced the Ateneo crowd who were at a fever pitch. The 5-foot-9 gunslinger nailed cold-blooded three-pointers with 8:32 and 4:41 left in the game, to extend their lead to three and four points respectively that helped La Salle take a 67-65 win. After knocking down his fourth triple, he even turned to the Ateneo crowd, making a hushing sign to them.
“Nainis lang ako… ang ingay eh,” he said with a boyish smile.
Melecio finished the game with 12 points, all coming from downtown and nine coming in the second half. His output was 3.6 points above his regular season norms.
But with Game Two just three days away, the rookie knows that the crowd he faced will be twice as loud and boisterous compared to Game One. He, for one, will be ready for it.
“Di naman ako nag-eexpect na dapat every game maganda laro ko.
“For me like during practice just work hard and bahala na sa game. Lalabas naman kung ano pinapractice mo,” the UAAP Season 79 Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Year said.
