Gian Mamuyac is out to prove himself worthy of being among the 24 players set to see action in the 2023 PBA All-Star Game in Passi City, Iloilo next month.
The Rain or Shine rookie is all aware of some fans’ criticisms and questions regarding his inclusion to the flagship event of the March 9-12 festivities, thus the extra push within to show that he’s deserving to be voted in.
“I believe naman po na entitled lahat sa kanya-kanyang opinion and I respect everyone’s opinion naman po,” he said moments after the Elasto Painters’ loss to Magnolia in the Governors’ Cup, Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena.
“I will just control what I can control and sana by All-Star weekend, maganda nga po maipakita ko para masabi ko naman na deserving ako mapunta doon. Siguro po motivation na rin,” added the Ateneo de Manila product.
Mamuyac surprisingly rose to no. 6 in the middle of the All-Star balloting, eventually ending up at 14th with 1,164,660 votes.
He was picked by Japeth Aguilar in the All-Star Draft, where he’ll play with June Mar Fajardo, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Roger Pogoy, LA Tenorio, Mikey Williams, Paul Lee, Jeremiah Gray, Nards Pinto, and Terrence Romeo.
The 23-year-old guard, who’s the only other rookie to make it to the ASG aside from Gray, never expected that he’d get into such a position.
“Actually, nagulat nga po ako kasi noong first results, lumabas ako sa RSJ lang,” he said, referring to the Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors game.
“Tapos noong second results, bigla na lang nagko-congrats na lang sa’kin ‘yung mga tao, sabi ko, ‘Bakit?’ Tapos nakita ko na bigla akong nasa main All-Stars. Nagulat ako, hanggang sa final results, nandoon pa rin ako,” he added.
Now, Mamuyac hopes to perform the best he can not only to prove himself but to represent the Elasto Painters well.
“Very, very honored and sobrang excited ko na po kasi yun nga po, rookie pa lang ako, nakasama na ako sa All-Star,” said the fifth overall pick, who is also RoS’ representative to the 3-Point Shootout.
“Hopefully, I get to represent my team well sa Three-Point Shootout and sa All-Star Game,” he added.
“Sana ma-represent ko naman po yung Rain or Shine na maging proud sila sa akin sa pagre-represent ko.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
