Renzo Subido has always been told to keep shooting.
And shoot he did.
Even when the 22-year-old couldn’t find the bottom of the net, University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers mentor Aldin Ayo didn’t bat an eyelash, knowing that when his young gun’s shots finally dropped, only good things could happen for UST.
Those are the kinds of risks you make when you look at this UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball Tournament as a rebuilding year.
It wouldn’t hurt, too, if that gamble nets UST victories, just like it did this past week in a 76-74 shocker over playoff hopefuls Far Eastern University Tamaraws for their first win in the tourney.
And in the middle of that conquest? No one else but Subido, who went on a 4-of-9 shooting from downtown to lead the Growling Tigers with 18 points, two rebounds, and an assist in the upset.
What a way for him to bounce back from his horror opening day showing against the National University, where he shot 2-of-10 from beyond the arc and 5-of-24 from the field.
“Yung last game na yun, we were able to get or shots pero hindi lang pumapasok,” the 5-foot-9 guard said. “Pero alam namin na magiging maayos pa ang laro namin and we just have to trust each other at magtiwala sa sistema.”
For his efforts, Subido was hailed as the Chooks-to-Go/UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week.
He edged out Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena, UP’s Juan Gomez de Liano, and FEU’s Prince Orizu for the award given out by writers from print and online portals covering the beat.
Subido’s stellar week is further proof that you miss 100-percent of the shots you don’t take, but Ayo said that his no-hesitation rule isn’t limited to just his fourth-year shooter.
“It’s not only for Renzo. It’s for all the players,” he said. “I always tell them that if you’re free, take the shot as long as it’s in the play. Be responsible and make sure we execute our plays.”
