Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Melecio plays silencer in first Finals game


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.
UAAP-79-Finals-G1-DLSU-vs.-ADMU-Melecio-0077 Melecio plays silencer in first Finals game Basketball DLSU News UAAP  - philippine sports news

“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.

#ReadMore  UAAP 85 MBB: Adamson makes Lastimosa cameo worth it, beats UE for solo fourth

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.

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

National University found a familiar comfort at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. Ten days ago, NU stunned the UP Fighting Maroons at the same venue...

Basketball

Aside from the pride of representing Gilas Pilipinas once again, Kevin Quiambao shared that his newborn son, Kevin Vennan, will serve as an added...

AdU

Dylan Darbin hit a clutch jumper with barely a second remaining, as Centro Escolar University spoiled Rey Remogat’s debut for University of the Philippines,...

Basketball

Filipino-Australian guard Jordan Heading is finally set to make his debut in the Philippine Basketball Association as he joins Converge. In a trade with...

Basketball

Kevin Quiambao admitted to playing in a “ligang labas” game last weekend, a move that has stirred some controversy amid his busy schedule in...

Basketball

Topex Robinson shrugged off the volatile reactions he received during De La Salle University’s 77-66 victory over fellow championship contender University of the Philippines...

Basketball

Defending champions De La Salle Green Archers continued their dominance over the University of the Philippines, defeating the Fighting Maroons 77-66 to secure the...

Basketball

La Salle maintained its perfect record, while reigning UCAL champion Centro Escolar University (CEU) strengthened its semifinal bid in the PGFlex Linoleum Invitational Tournament...

Advertisement