Eight days ago, Germy Mahinay sat on the bench receiving a scolding from first-year University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo.
Eight days later, the 6-foot-5 big man was anchoring the Growling Tigers’ defense against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.
“These kids are young – parang sponge eh.
“Kung ano sasabihin mo, na-aborsb eh. [Nung pumasok sila dito], they empty their glass. Lahat ng inputs, pasok eh. I hope they continue doing that kasi long way to go, mahaba ba,” shared Aldin Ayo.
The product of the esteemed San Beda High School program needed to step up.
With three minutes left in the third canto, Enrique Caunan – who was having a good game with three blocks – rolled his right ankle after a highlight chase-down block of Alec Stockton.
Though saddened that his teammate was down, Mahinay took this as an opportunity. In the final frame, he scored five of his 10 points in the final frame while helping stifle Prince Orizu.
And it ended up as a 78-70 victory for the streaking Tigers.
For his part, Mahinay is grateful to have a patient mentor like Ayo.
“Siguro na motivate lang ako, yun nga, binigyan ako ni Coach Aldin ng kumpyansa,” he pointed out.
“Tsaka ayoko ng maulit yung nangyari last game. Ginawa ko lang, kung ano binibigay ni coach Aldin na sistema. Sumasandal lang.”
