Juami Tiongson does not believe that he deserves to be part of the 2023 PBA All-Star Game despite the sentiments of fans online that he should.
Although he’s proven himself as one of the league’s best players, Terrafirma’s failure to make the playoffs — a drought that has lasted for years now — is among the reasons why the star guard doesn’t think he merits a nod.
“Let’s be real, people don’t love me like that,” said the 32-year-old moments after the Dyip’s loss to Phoenix Saturday.
“Like ‘di naman ako ganon ka popular. Guys like me don’t really win things like those. Ganong talaga, no hard feelings.
“Personally, I feel like I don’t deserve it because we are not winning, and we haven’t made the playoffs. Guys on that list, they’ve been making the playoffs consistently. I haven’t. I have a lot more to prove,” he added.
Netizens were quick to mention Tiongson as one of those who got ‘snubbed’ when the league rolled out the top 30 vote-getters for the midseason showpiece set in Iloilo, where Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson went 1-2.
Some even justified why the Ateneo alum deserves to be there in Passi City, saying that he has the numbers to back it up — he’s currently averaging 23.3 points on 52.3-percent clip (3.3/6.3) in the ongoing Governors’ Cup.
But then, Tiongson understands that the All-Star is and will always be about the fans, and he has no hard feelings whatsoever about the non-inclusion.
“I would say, based on my stats, siguro oo. But at the end of the day, it’s for the fans eh. Fans naman nagvo-vote,” he offered.
“And they want to see the players who they want to watch. Ganon talaga, no hard feelings, no bitterness. Maybe next year, hopefully. We’ll see.
And the fact that his play is being appreciated by fans is more than enough for Tiongson.
“Very humbling. Very thankful.
“Appreciative na nakikita nila in some way yung hard work napapakita ko sa laro. Sa mga ganon palang, I don’t have to be an All-Star anymore. The fact that they notice that already means a lot to me,” he added.
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
