After a disappointing start to his final year, AC Soberano finally broke out of his slump Friday afternoon.
“First of all, credits sa teammates [ko], kay coach Boyet [Fernandez],” expressed Soberano.
“Honestly, sobrang frustrated ko nung last few games, akala ko hindi na ako makakabalik.”
The designated shooter dropped 15 markers built on five triples in just 14 minutes of play to power the Red Lions’ 46-point rout of the Perpetual Help Altas, 102-56.
But beyond his best outing so far, the 25-year-old native of Tarlac is just glad to find his confidence back.
“Happy ako medyo bumalik na yung kumpyansa [ko], sana magtuloy tuloy na,” said Soberano, who averaged just 3.2 points on 25-percent shooting from deep in the first five games of the season.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga teammates ko, sila yung nagpu-push sakin para mag work hard din and yun nga, nakabalik naman.”
His breakout moment could not have come at a better time as the Mendiola-based squad is scheduled to take on the Lyceum Pirates on Tuesday — a squad that they have faced in the past two editions of the NCAA Finals.
“Sabi ko sa sarili ko, sobrang importante nung game na ‘to before LPU kasi big game takaga next game namin e, so kailangan namin yung isa’t isa. Kailangan yung contribution ng isa’t isa,” Soberano explained.
Facing a championship contender in Lyceum, Fernandez needs every contribution he can get from his wards.
And the decorated mentor is just glad to have his top gunner back.
“AC made most of his threes in the third and fourth, tuloy tuloy na rin yun,” said Fernandez.
“So sana tuloy tuloy na yung kumpyansa ni AC, because we need hum going to the games to come.”
