If numbers could talk, they would say that JC Macalalag’s face mask had a noticeable effect on his performance for De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
After sitting out due to a nose injury, the 6-foot-2 guard made his return on October 12 wearing a protective face mask to avoid aggravating the injury.
But since suiting up with the mask, Macalalag’s numbers noticeably dipped.
In three games with the mask on, his output fell to just 3.33 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.33 assists in 22 minutes per game — a stark contrast to his recent performance.
The 22-year-old senior also struggled with his shooting, going 1-of-13 from the field. He missed all four of his three-point attempts across those matches against National University, University of the East, and University of the Philippines.
In the first game he played without the mask, however, Macalalag broke out with a career-high performance that La Salle badly needed. He lifted the Green Archers past the University of Santo Tomas, 86-77, on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Nag-work talaga kami together kasi kitang-kita naman sa preparations namin heading into this game na yung intensity and focus during trainings, nandoon. Kaya alam mo ‘yon, sobrang masarap lang sa pakiramdam na yung mga kasama mo heading into this game, prepared and willing ibigay lahat ng kaya nila,” said the La Salle Green Hills product.
“I think ‘yon yung one of the factors kaya maganda yung start namin sa first half and kung bakit na-sustain namin yung lead into the second half.”
Macalalag tallied a career-best 18 points on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc, along with four rebounds, three assists, and a steal — a much-needed spark for the Green Archers.
When asked if the mask bothered him, he admitted, “Opo, medyo.”
Still, the sophomore guard was grateful to have been able to play through those games rather than sitting out entirely.
After a shaky 2-3 start, La Salle has now notched three straight victories, forcing a three-way tie for second place with UST and University of the Philippines.
“Siguro simula nung sinuot ko yung mask, hindi siya naging challenge sa akin, pero tine-take ko rin siya as a blessing din,” said Macalalag.
“Last week kasi during training, tinry ko lang na hindi na mag-mask. Medyo okay naman yung preparations so heading into this game, yung mindset ko ay why not i-try ko rin sa game na wala munang mask? Thankful ako na ganito yung kinalabasan ng game namin and yung preparation na binigay namin all throughout this week.”
