PAGADIAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR—Charles Pepito’s numbers for Pagadian have been on an increasing trend late in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Challenge elimination round.
And it’s all because of his hard work in training, something the coaches appreciate and notice.
“Grabe ‘yung hard work ni Charles sa practice. Sinusuklian ko lang ‘yung hard work niya sa practice dito sa game,” said Explorers head coach Gherome Ejercito, himself a hustle player when he was still balling.
The uptick in his numbers started in their match against Basilan BRT on December 5 – a 77-65 win.
There, Pepito was able to grab a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds to go with a block. He also earned himself the Chooks-to-Go Manok ng Bayan Player of the Game award.
Since then, he has averaged 12 points, 8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1 steal in 23 minutes in the last three outings.
“Sinusunod ko lang palagi ‘yung game plan ni coach sa akin. Binibigyan niya ako ng oras kaya ginagawa ko ‘yung role ko as a player,” said the 6-foot-3 hustle player from Daanbantayan, Cebu.
In their 79-67 conquest of BYB Kapatagan Thursday night, Pepito did not just deliver the numbers. He also delivered them when it mattered most.
When the Buffalos came back to within six after trailing by double figures, Pepito was one of the collected minds that pulled the Explorers lead back up.
He had a very crucial sequence of back-to-back fastbreak layups that made the whole Pagadian City Gymnasium crowd explode. Then they built their advantage back to 11 with just 3:09 left.
His recent numbers were far cry from his tally in their first seven matches. Pepito had meager averages of 1.8 points, 5 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 0.1 blocks.
And with Pagadian currently at the second seed heading into the playoffs, expect nothing less from the University of San Carlos product.
“As a rebounding demon, pagtitiyagaan ko lahat,” said Pepito after his 14-point, eight-rebound performance against Kapatagan.
“Hustle player talaga ako kaya lahat ng bola. Hanggang maaabot, aabutin ko.”
