ANTIPOLO – Encho Serrano wasn’t afraid to let Topex Robinson know that he was more than ready to check back in when Phoenix Super LPG was facing a major threat from Rain or Shine in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday.
That’s by simply looking his head coach in the eye.
“Every time I look at the bench, Encho’s looking at me eh. Talagang naka-abang siya e. Sabi ko ‘pag mga pangatlong tingin ko pa, nakatingin ‘to sa’kin, ipapasok ko ‘to,” recalled the Fuel Masters mentor with a grin.
Robinson did bring the rookie guard in with 2:34 remaining in the game, and the youngster didn’t disappoint. He scored six of Phoenix’s last nine points to successfully ward off their foes’ rally from an 18-point third-quarter deficit.
The Kapampangan guard went on to finish with a career-high 18 points on a 7-of-10 clip from the field, on top of five rebounds, five assists, and a steal as the Fuel Masters left the Ynares Center with the 92-83 victory.
It was their fourth straight win after a 0-3 start into the tilt.
(C) PBA Images
“That means he’s ready,” said Robinson. “He’s closer to me, malapit siya sa araw eh. So siya ‘yung nabiyayaan. That just shows he’s ready. He wants to take this opportunity, he never shies away from that.”
It turns out, that wasn’t the only time Serrano did as much to his mentor. The high-leaping point guard out of De La Salle University bared that he’s been doing so ever since he became part of the franchise.
“Lagi naman kasi e,” said the 19th overall pick, who is a former NBL-Pilipinas MVP. “Simula nung dumating ako sa kanya, ganun na talaga ako. Every time na tumitingin siya sa bench, tinitingnan ko talaga siya. Hindi nawawala ‘yung tingin ko sa kanya.
“Kaya ‘pag tiningnan niya ‘ko, titingin ako sa kanya. Kaya alam ko na, ‘pag ipapasok niya na ‘ko, naka-ready na ‘ko,” continued the La Salle product, who’s averaging 16.25 points in Phoenix’s four-game winning run.
Robinson has no issues with it whatsoever.
“What I like about him is he takes ownership in his actions,” he said. “He knows that he has a lot of opportunity here in this team. And kagaya nga ng sinabi niya, this opportunity, ‘pag hindi niya hinawakan, somebody will take it.
“And so far, he’s really been holding on to this opportunity.”
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