After graduating from the Ateneo High School back in 2016, Gian Mamuyac decided to stay in Loyola Heights for college. But unlike his batchmate Jolo Mendoza, the 6-foot guard was not immediately fielded for the Blue Eagles, settling for Team Glory Be, Ateneo’s Team B, for one year.
And the former Batang Gilas standout made sure to make the most out of it, taking in everything he could to prepare him for the UAAP.
“For me, yung pag-stay ko sa Team B made me more ready for college kasi coming from high school,” recalled the 18-year-old, “It’s really a different level of competition. Yung pag-Team B ko, I was introduced to college basketball.
“It’s a great thing kasi ang hirap kung isalin na lang ako bigla. Especially, yung weight ko ng high school.”
There was no doubt that Mamuyac was skilled coming out of high school. The criticism was over his physique, as many had thought that he was too thin for the collegiate game. Mamuyac’s one-year with Glory Be made him realize that he needs to bulk up.
“Nung high school 147 pounds lang ata ako nun, ngayon 160 na!” quipped Mamuyac, “O ha! 13 pounds yun!”
It paid dividends on Wednesday afternoon when he was assigned to defend fifth-year National University Bulldog J-Jay Alejandro.
Alejandro, who has years of UAAP experience over Mamuyac, torched the Blue Eagles in the first half with 16 points on 5-for-11 shooting. Then coach Tab Baldwin decided to plug Mamuyac against Alejandro, just as he had done against Paul Desiderio last September 23.
“Very good effort. Thirdy started out on J-Jay Alejandro and slowed him down, and then Gian came in and equaled the defense of Thirdy. So that was key for us,” shared Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga about Mamuyac after Ateneo’s 85-72 win.
The NU co-captain was limited to just six second half points on 2-for-9 shooting.
But like his seniors in the Blue Eagles, Mamuyac shared that he is only doing what is asked of him.
“I’m just doing my job every game.
“Coming into the game, maging aggressive ako on defense,” Mamuyac said, “Yung offense, dadating na lang yan, bonus na lang kung maka-shoot or what.”
