A highly-touted recruit from Australia, Aiesha Dizon initially found it difficult to get her UAAP career going with De La Salle University.
In the first round of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament, the 5-foot-10 winger averaged 5.0 points and 4.71 rebounds per game.
Decent numbers for a rookie, but expectations were higher given her pedigree as a prospect who once played for Rockingham in Australia’s NBL1.
“She has a big potential to play really well here in the UAAP. She has all the tools, she has the height, athleticism, and basketball IQ to do all those things,” said Lady Archers head coach Cholo Villanueva.
“It’s just being confident in doing those things on the floor, especially when the bright lights come on.”
On Wednesday, the 18-year-old Fil-Australian finally showed what she could bring to the La Salle program.
In a tight first half against the University of the East, Dizon erupted for six quick points in the third quarter, sparking a run that turned a slim 40-35 lead into a 53-42 cushion.
That surge proved to be the turning point in La Salle’s 82-72 victory.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Dizon finished with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting, along with seven rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and two assists — a complete performance that underscored her potential.
“I’m really happy that I’m finally in my rhythm. And it’s good that our team is slowly getting back their confidence within UAAP, especially because we’re a pretty young team coming in against a lot of seniors,” said Dizon, as the win improved La Salle’s record to 4-5, tying Far Eastern University for fourth place in the standings.
La Salle ace Kyla Go also expressed her pride in Dizon’s breakout game.
“Nung pre-season, yung laro niya sobrang ganda. Kahit hindi niya nakukuha yung rhythm niya through the past few games, may tiwala pa rin kami na makukuha niya yung game niya. Kailangan lang namin magtulungan and to help each other,” Go said.
Now entering the toughest stretch of the season, Dizon hopes to ride the momentum while continuing to embrace her role within the team.
“I think their trust is really important because obviously it gives me confidence. It helps me perform better in front of the bright lights, as Coach Cholo said, and get myself in that rhythm and do my role,” she said.
