The Blackwater Elite’s Mike DiGregorio had a memorable Wednesday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. Not only did his team book their third win in the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup at the expense of the NLEX Road Warriors, but he was also able to post a new career-high in points.
“It’s a lot of hard work,” said the 26-year-old of his 22-point production, which eclipsed his previous record of 20. “I’ve been working so hard for so long, a lot of hours before and after practice, so that’s where the confidence comes from — preparation.
“I was prepared for this opportunity, and I took advantage of it.”
There were plenty of reasons for DiGregorio to be elated after the career-setting evening. But little did people know that the Filipino-Italian shooter, despite the fiery display of offense he showcased, was actually carrying a heavy heart.
Wednesday night was indeed a memorable night for the sophomore combo guard, but not for all the pleasing reasons.
“Today was actually a special day because it’s the death anniversary of my grandmom, and this morning I found out that my cousin… His wife’s dad passed away. He had a heart surgery, but he ended up passing away,” shared a desolated DiGregorio.
“Heavy heart, for sure. I know how much their death meant to them. It’s definitely tough for them and their family, so I want to dedicate this game to them.”
But despite what happened, the native of Chicago, Illinois did not let it slow him down. And it was evident in the game’s third canto, where he fired all four of his three-pointers to anchor the Elite for a wide 18-point advantage, 86-68.
“Honestly, I wasn’t thinking anything in that third quarter. I was just shooting. Thank God they went in,” said DiGregorio, who had been averaging 10.0 points on 37.1 shooting from beyond-the-arc prior to Wednesday, regarding that stretch.
Still, it was an unforgettable moment for DiGregorio and his team, especially now that they have improved their card to 2-6. And, he looks forward to their game on Sunday against Mahindra — the team that had drafted him back in 2015.
“Personally, I’m excited to play against them. But no hard feelings,” said DiGregorio. “Like I told you before, they gave me the opportunity to play in this league.
“I’m very, very grateful to Mahindra, but I’m excited for Sunday.”
