Garvo Lanete had just turned 29 years old yesterday, February 13. And he received probably the best gift he could get just a day after his birthday: a Meralco Bolts victory that snapped their three-game losing skid.
Moreover, Lanete shone the brightest in the win, top-scoring for the Orangemen with 24 markers on 8-of-15 shooting, highlighted by four triples.
“Birthday ko kahapon. Medyo swerte ngayon. Thank you kay Lord,” said the San Beda alumnus after their 92-90 victory over Willie Wilson and the Phoenix Fuel Masters, Wednesday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
His assertiveness, according to Lanete, stemmed from his motivation to step up for the Bolts as the team has been depleted yet again. After losing Jared Dillinger due to a foot injury, they might lose Cliff Hodge due to a knee mishap.
Photo by PBA Images
“We have to step up kasi wala si Jared. Si Cliff, wala nung [fourth quarter],” said the six-foot-two shooting guard from Leyte.
“Sinabi lang ni coach nung natalo kami sa NLEX, we have to treat this game as a championship game.”
However, Lanete didn’t take all the spotlight, as he also tipped his hat to his teammates.
“It’s just not me, yung teammates ko stepped up din. Si [Jason] Ballesteros, si Anjo Caram, si Chris Newsome, si Nico Salva and of course, si Cliff Hodge [before getting injured],” said Lanete, who has been in the league since 2015.
Lanete’s 24-point outing is his third career-best. And with the 2018 Philippine Cup elimination round heading into the homestretch, Lanete hopes that he can sustain his rhythm to help the Bolts reach their playoff dreams.
“It’s about time na siguro na I hit my shots.
“And ayun, swerte lang siguro today, so hopefully, [in] the next two games especially pinaka-importante ‘yung games na yon, sana swertehin uli,” hoped Lanete, who had been averaging just 5.75 points per game prior to this.
