After his five-year run with University of Santo Tomas ended last Wednesday, Zachy Huang remained grateful. This, despite ending his career the way it started — with a silver medal.
“Sobrang grateful ako sa UST kasi marami akong natutunan dito and parang at least naman pag exit ko umabot rin kami Finals,” the 22-year-old expressed.
There were a lot of things that UST taught Huang.
Back in 2015, the product of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu was awkward when he first arrived in Manila. Awkward in terms of style of play and demeanor.
Standing at 6-foot-3, Huang did not know how he would fit then-Growling Tigers head coach Bong dela Cruz’s system. Was he a wing or was he a big?
Personality-wise, he was also as shy as they come. Even if he had good games — including his unheralded performance during Game Two of the UAAP Season 78 Men’s Basketball Finals — he would always mince his words, deflecting credit to his teammates and coaches.
Then came two years of agony. And he was not alone in the struggle, since the entire Growling Tigers program hit the bottom.
Under Boy Sablan, UST became the doormat of the league. But though his playing time back then was erratic, there was no semblance of complaint from Huang.
Then came Aldin Ayo.
Looking at Ayo, he exudes confidence. He was a born winner and it easily rubbed off his players — including Huang.
“Naturo niya sa akin ‘yung approach ng game, the right approach, binago mindset ko. Tinuro nila coach na dapat never makuntento ang tao.”
It translated into aggression in his play. Though still soft-spoken, he gained bravado.
More importantly, Huang learned how to be a blue-collar player.
“In basketball, you pile things up and continue to work hard, and may mararating ka sa dulo.”
Though his journey in UST did not end the way he wanted, Huang knows that he still has a lot to learn.
And so despite being eligible to enter the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft, he is choosing another route.
“Parang free agent ako ngayon.
“Walang team as of now, pa-condition pa rin, and ‘di magpapabaya sa katawan and focus on the MPBL or D-League,” he said.
But first thing’s first — he vows to graduate. Then? The sky’s the limit.
