In his first three years at De La Salle Zobel, Maco Dabao learned from one of the best to ever step foot in the UAAP — Kieffer Alas.
During that time, Alas, although unable to lead the Junior Archers to the UAAP Boys’ Basketball Final Four, still captured the regular season MVP before heading abroad.
“He was just wishing us good luck since he was going to the States. He wishes us the best,” Dabao recalled about what Alas told DLSZ before leaving.
“Just be confident in your skills, keep pushing hard, work hard, and you’ll be okay.”
Entering UAAP Season 88, the Junior Archers revamped their coaching staff — long-time head coach Boris Aldeguer was out, and Gian Nazario came in.
Nazario brings extensive experience in both amateur and professional basketball, having served as an assistant coach at Terrafirma and currently part of Topex Robinson’s staff at De La Salle University.
With Nazario came the start of a winning culture.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“We’re just building our brotherhood as a team. As Coach G said, we always stick together no matter how hard it gets. We always stick together as a team,” Dabao said.
“We always trust each other as a team.”
Now 19 years old, Dabao has been at the forefront of DLSZ’s resurgence.
The 5-foot-11 guard is averaging 17.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. His best all-around performance came against archrival Ateneo last Wednesday.
Dabao dropped 24 points, along with three rebounds, five assists, and a steal, leading the Junior Archers to a stunning 80-72 victory over the Blue Eagles, climbing to solo fourth with a 5-5 record.
“He’s a headache,” Nazario quipped about Dabao. “But honestly, Maco will make his mistakes. He will do a lot of good things for us. He just has to be more patient. Sometimes he plays a good game, but we lose. He has to find that balance.
“If things don’t work out, there are other things he can do aside from shooting the basketball. He showed it today. He played good defense. I think that’s a step forward for Maco, especially with the important games coming up.”
With just four games left before a chance at the Final Four — a stage the school has yet to reach since Aljun Melecio’s time — Dabao is determined to seize every opportunity.
After all, success would not only bring DLSZ back to prominence but also cement his status as one of the hottest recruits in the country.
“Being under Coach G, as he always tells us, being under this kind of pressure is a privilege. He always reminds us that he has our back. He believes in us, and that’s what we need as a team.”
