After having been on the sidelines since 2013, Issa Gaye marked his official arrival in the UAAP with a bang, tallying 11 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks to power the National University Bulldogs to their first win of the season against the University of the East Red Warriors.
And after four years of giving way to his seniors Jean Mbe and Alfred Aroga, Gaye was completely ready.
Though he is well aware that he has some pretty big shoes to fill, he says he will simply make sure that he will stick to his role and excel in it.
“I’m just gonna do my job in the team and that is to be always in the paint. I will always be there,” the Senegalese student-athlete shared.
Still, his emotions got the best of him during his first game, as he admitted that he had a lot of “gigil.”
“That’s my problem. I’m too aggressive.
“I got like four fouls but next time, I’m trying to keep my fouls to two or three so I can come in the game,” the 6-foot-9 big man confessed, as he had accumulated four fouls in the game.
It’s still early in the season, but with the kind of focus Gaye shows in the court, who knows — perhaps he can propel the Bulldogs to a Final Four appearance.
“I was so excited before [my first] game but when the game started, it’s over na. Kasi I’m like that. When the game starts, I will focus inside the game.”
By: Danine Cruz
