Doy Dungo just wants to continue working hard for University of Santo Tomas after tasting his first win as a Tiger Cub in the UAAP Season 86 Boys’ Basketball High School Tournament.
The 6-foot-3 winger out of Pampanga produced 19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and two steals to lead UST to a 90-84 win over the UPIS Junior Fighting Maroons Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Yun lang yun. Laging sinasabi ng mga coaches namin na focus lang kami sa game and yung mga kalaban namin, wag namin i-underestimate,” the 19-year-old stalwart shared.
While this may be his first year in the UAAP, Dungo is already a battle-hardened prospect.
He transferred to the Tiger Cubs program from the fabled San Beda Red Cubs along with five other players.
They joined coach Manu Iñigo, who was their coach in San Beda-Taytay.
Last NCAA season, Dungo averaged 11.71 points, 6.57 rebounds, 2.93 assists, and 1.21 steals per game, helping the Red Cubs finish in third place.
Now back in the arms of Inigo, they look to bring the same success they had with the Red Cubs to the Tiger Cubs. Their familiarity has helped them get used to life in the UAAP faster and smoother.
“Una, siyempre mahirap pero agad-agad nakapag-adjust kasi sila Coach Manu naman yan. Madali lang naman kasi yung sistema nila kaya agad din ako nakapag-adjust,” said Dungo.
“Right from the start naman, kaya ko rin naman kinuha si Doy dati dahil alam ko naman yung talent niya. Masaya naman kami na sumama pa rin siya sa amin. Yung trust niya na mapapagaling namin siya as a player, nandun pa rin,” said Iñigo.
“Continue lang namin yung program, yung tiwala namin sa isa’t isa, pagpapatuloy lang namin yung hard work. Masaya naman na magkasama naman kami.”
Up next for UST is a date against defending champions FEU Baby Tamaraws.
Going up against the Baby Tams is always hard but Dungo and his teammates will give it their best shot.
Come what may, it promises to be an exciting game.
“Magfo-focus lang talaga kami sa practices namin and yung mga practices namin, pag-aaralan namin yung video para maging maayos yung laro namin.”
