Elias Gish may be new to Philippine basketball, but his brief time with Far Eastern University has already presented him with plenty of opportunities to showcase his talent.
The 6-foot-7 guard finally made the most of his opportunity, delivering a breakout performance in the Tamaraws’ 94-83 victory over the UE Red Warriors on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Clovis North High School product finished with 13 points, six rebounds, and three blocks off the bench in his best outing yet in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
With FEU making a spirited push toward the Final Four, Gish is simply grateful to have found his place among Morayta’s best.
“I’m just playing my role, honestly. Whatever coach tells me to do, that’s my role, and I executed it today. I just gotta be consistent every game and just keep getting reps in and working hard on the court,” he said.
Veteran Jorick Bautista was among the first to praise the rookie, who had just turned 18 in January.
The guard from Fresno, California, had already shown flashes of brilliance with Gilas Pilipinas Youth during the FIBA U18 Asia Cup earlier in August. However, his introduction to the Tamaraws came during an offseason training camp in Sacramento, not far from his hometown.
“Spectacular,” Bautista said when asked to describe his young teammate.
“Si Gish po, rookie po siya, which is nag-a-adjust po siya. Noong preseason halos di po siya naglaro sa amin, mga tune-ups lang.”
Despite Gish’s limited time with FEU leading up to Season 89, the young guard has shown little sign of rust whenever given the opportunity to play.
Still adjusting to Philippine basketball, particularly head coach Sean Chambers’ system and the officiating in the UAAP, Gish appears to be finding his footing.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Alam ko na ‘yung kakayanin niya noong nakita ko noong nakalaro ko sa U.S. Sabi ko itong batang ‘to, future ‘to ng FEU basketball. At ngayon, nakita naman ng mga tao kung gaano siya kagaling,” Bautista added.
“For me, obviously, it’s just been about adapting to everything here. Especially the system and league in general, it’s something I’m not used to compared to back in the States,” Gish said.
Even as he continues to adjust, Gish understands the responsibility that comes with being part of a talent-laden FEU squad featuring several rookies.
“It’s my role to help the team and do whatever Coach Sean needs me to do to execute that.”
Chambers, meanwhile, has remained patient with the young guard. He recognizes the circumstances surrounding his development, especially with many of his contemporaries still competing in the 19-and-under division.
“Elias joined us back in August and in Sacramento for a camp. He’s probably only played 20 games for us, and he just turned 18 back in January,” he said.
“A lot of the kids here, they’re still playing in the 19-under division, so he’s such a phenomenal talent that I’ve been trying to bring him on.”
That belief has continued to fuel Gish’s development, having averaged nearly six points and 4.3 rebounds during the FIBA U18 Asia Cup.
Chambers sees a bright future ahead for the young guard, believing he could become not only a cornerstone of FEU basketball but also a significant figure in Philippine basketball someday.
“What he can do on the basketball court is absolutely phenomenal,” Chambers added.
“I’m just trying to adapt to it still, trying to get comfortable in the flow of everything. But it’s just on me to keep focusing and being locked in, and trying to be consistent in every game I play,” Gish said.
