Gryann Mendoza was the main man for KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue in the ongoing 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup.
With the 6-foot-1 Davaoeno taking the lead, he has led Mandaue to the inaugural Visayas Finals of the league after dropping 25 points on 9-of-16 along with eight boards during their 74-64 triumph over ARQ Builders Lapu-Lapu last Wednesday.
It’s a position Mendoza never dreamt of.
Photo from PBA Images
“Actually, hindi ko ma-explain kung gaano kasarap yung moment na ito. Yung experience ko dati, role player lang ako e. Nung nag-champion kami sa Magnolia, maliit lang naman yung naambag ko dun,” Mendoza, who went undrafted during the 2016 PBA Draft, shared to Tiebreaker Times.
“Pero siguro yung experience ko dun, dun ako natuto. Blessing talaga sa akin yung pinagdaanan ko.”
During his two-year stay with Magnolia, Mendoza only played in 26 games, totaling 61 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.
For the last three years, the 6-foot-1 guard became a practice player for TNT.
Though playing sparingly in the PBA, he made sure to learn a lot from his fellow guards in both the Hotshots and the Tropang Giga.
“Isipin mo nun sa Magnolia kumpleto yung mga guards — lahat all-around. Nandun si Mark Barroca, si Paul Lee, si Justin Melton, tsaka si [Jio] Jalalon. Madami akong natutunan sa laro sa kanila,” he said.
“Tapos sa TNT natutunan ko kung gaano kahalaga yung sipag sa laro. Work ethic ba. Nandun sila RR [Pogoy] at si Troy [Rosario],” he continued.
“Lahat yun dala ko ngayon dito sa Mandaue.”
That is why when KCS head coach Mike Reyes entrusted him a big role, he did not hesitate to answer the call.
“Binalikan ko lang yun at dinagdagan ko pa. Lead by example talaga sa practice. Kailangan ka rin mag-connect sa bawat player para maging solid yung team namin.”
And come to the Finals, Mendoza hopes to prove that he can lead KCS once more.
