CALAMBA, LAGUNA — Alvin Pasaol is known for his scoring prowess.
Who could ever forget his 49-point explosion against La Salle back in October of 2017?
What about his ravaging of Moscow Inanomo during the 2019 Doha Masters?
But in the first leg of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 powered by TM, it seems like the burly forward has turned over a new leaf.
In all of Family’s Brand Sardines-Zamboanga City Chooks’ games, Pasaol took a backseat to Joshua Munzon in the scoring department. In the finals vs Uling Roasters-Butuan City, the native of Davao only put up six markers.
His impact was as big as Munzon’s, though. He made the biggest defensive plays in the contest — first a clean swat of Karl Dehesa deuce midway through the game. Then later on, he hounded Chris De Chavez late to help secure the 21-17 win.
“Adjustment ko sa team namin ngayon, kailangan din ng anchor sa defense,” said the Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 player.
“Buong quarantine period, ginawa namin, nag-practice kami sa defense kasi ‘yun ang main weapon namin. ‘Di kami mananalo sa offense namin, sa defense namin kami mananalo. Nag-adjust ako parati.”
Unlike in Wilkins-Balanga last year, Pasaol has a stacked team that also features Santi Santillan and Troy Rike.
Knowing that scoring won’t be a problem, Pasaol has decided to use the President’s Cup as a way to develop his defense while he prepares for the 2021 FIBA 3X3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
“Ibang playing style ang ginagawa ko ngayon. Tatanggapin ko lang ‘yung role na gagawin ko. Josh is there, Santi is there, Troy is there, gagawin ko lang ‘yung anong kailangan. Ako na lang ang pupuno sa kung anong kulang.”
