Dre Miller finally made his debut for Far Eastern University-Diliman in the UAAP Season 86 Boys’ Basketball Tournament. The son of former PBA Most Valuable Player Willie was supposed to suit up for the Baby Tamaraws last year, but an injury derailed all his plans.
Despite technically being a rookie, head coach Allan Albano has put full faith in the floor general, placing him in crunch-time situations.
“Tinutulungan ko rin sila para sa after high school careers nila. Dapat last year nalineup na ‘yan kaya lang na-injury,” said Albano, a multiple-time UAAP champion coach.
“Alam ko ‘yung kakayahan niya.”
During FEU-D’s game against the upstart University of the East last Wednesday, Miller was the calming presence for the Baby Tamaraws amid a Junior Warriors rally. The 19-year-old floor general tallied nine points, three rebounds, and two assists, steering FEU-D to a 66-58 win, gaining solo third place in the standings.
“Mataas ‘yung trust ni Coach Allan sa amin dahil pinapakita namin sa practice na kaya naming lumaban at bubuhos namin ‘yung lahat,” said Dre.
Dre disclosed that his dad has been instrumental in helping develop him as the point guard he is today.
“Actually, madami since pareho kami ng position ni daddy nung college at high school days, madami siyang tinuturo sa ‘kin tulad ng mag-relax lang pagnagbababa ng bola at always find the open man. Also, ‘yung always stay composed lalo pag dikit yung laban,” shared Dre, adding that Willie also helps out the Baby Tamaraws after his work as an assistant coach with Converge.
Before studying at FEU-D, Dre first went to Ateneo for his grade school studies. But it was in FEU where he found a home.
After all, he is surrounded by other second-generation stalwarts like Dwyne Miranda, Jedric Daa, Liam Salangsang, and Tayshaun Maierhoffer, all of whom he gets to relate to regarding the pressure of having athlete dads.
“Madami-dami din ang nagpapag-usapan nila Dwyne tulad nung pressure nga since dad namin galing sa PBA. Tina-try namin habulin ‘yung footsteps nila o higitan namin ‘yung ginawa nila.”
