In most cases, the PBA Developmental League is an avenue for amateur cagers to get back into the pros. But for others, the league is also another stage to hone needed improvements.
And for incoming Letran senior Bong Quinto, his current stint in the 2017 Aspirant’s Cup is his way to develop much needed maturity — a tool he needs for the upcoming Season 93 of the NCAA.
The 6-foot swingman is coming off a disappointing Season 92. After winning the crown back in 2015, Quinto and the Knights failed to sustain the momentum, missing the Final Four bus last year.
Looking to bring the crown back to Muralla Street, Quinto looked to develop himself to a better player by joining the Tanduay Rhum Masters. The growth Quinto aims to develop is slowly showing flashes, and it went full blown Thursday night as Tanduay carved a 99-93 win over AMA Online Education to improve to 2-1.
Quinto shot the lights out in the victory, leading the team with 28 markers on a 9-of-12 shooting clip, with 3-of-3 coming from beyond the arc. He also had five rebounds, four assists, and three steals to fill up the stat sheet.
And for the bulked-up swingman, his Herculean effort on offense — highlighted by his eight straight points late in the fourth period that lifted Tanduay up by nine, 92-81 — stems from the trust he has to himself.
“Sa’kin kasi, siguro yung tiwala lang sa sarili ko na kaya ko. Pero syempre, tinitignan ko kung anong depensa yung binibigay sa’kin,” said Quinto.
That trust of his to himself would not grow if it were not for the confidence coach Lawrence Chongson has granted him.
“Yung kumpiyansa na binibigay lang ni coach sa’min, buo talaga eh. Iba talaga yung nakakapaglaro ka ng laro mo, kasi pinababayaan ka lang maglaro,” Quinto remarked.
However, noteworthy performances will always have a flip side. Inspite of his excellent offensive outing, Quinto still committed six turnovers — a flaw that he has been facing last season with Letran.
“Every game, kahit sa NCAA, sa Letran, parang naga-average ata ako ng four? Six? Minsan nga nage-eight pa ‘ko,” he shared.
“Siguro yun lang din yung gusto niya [Chongson] mawala sa’kin, yung turnovers.
“Ngayon inaayos ko na para pagbalik ko sa school, ma-limit ko na turnovers ko,” vowed Quinto.
This current D-League log of Quinto is clearly bringing lots of positives for his own betterment. But for him, his main goal, as mentioned, is to develop his maturity to be able to deliver better for Letran next collegiate season.
“Kukuha lang ako ng maturity dito kasi pagbalik ko, kami na lang nina Rey [Nambatac], nina [JP] Calvo yung mga veteran eh. So maturity yung kukunin ko rito [sa D-League],” asserted the young gunner.
