Jess Mar Villahermosa’s previous outing against Bicol was indeed a forgettable one.
In 32 minutes and four seconds of action, Villahermosa shot 4-of-14 from the field to finish with just nine points along with four assists and two turnovers.
It resulted in a 71-86 loss to the stacked Bicol squad last Wednesday.
With that, Makati-FSD coach Jocas Castillo talked to the Army veteran heading to the team’s crucial match against Laguna.
“Ayun nga kinausap ko siya, kasi isa siya sa mga key players namin na kung gusto talaga namin manalo, dapat yung aggressiveness niya to attack the basket dapat consistent talaga,” shared the two-time NAASCU champion coach.
And Villahermosa made sure to take the mission head-on on Friday.
“Nagulat din ako e, pero kahapon nag usap kami ni coach talagang sinabihan niya ako na kailangan kong mag-step up talaga.
“Kasi nung unang panalo namin, maganda yung laro tapos the last game medyo masama,” said the former Bacolod guard.
“Then sabi niya sakin dapat maging consistent ako kaya ayun, ayun yung mindset ko talaga,” he added.
The guard out of San Beda sizzled against the Heroes. He poured 26 of his tournament-high 33 points in the first half in 37 minutes and 10 seconds of playing time.
Villahermosa, who played the entire first half for the Blazers, also had seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals to lead Makati to a 2-1 record in Pool B tied with Bicol.
“So ginawa naman niya nung first half, almost ‘di ata nag mintis,” said Castillo.
“Hot hand ka, kaya mo naman nakita ko naman na yung stamina mo so puwede pang i-sustain so ayaw kong manlamig ba. Hinabaan ko na lang oras niya, bahala na 20 minutes kaya mo ‘yan,” he added.
The victory kept Makati’s playoff bid alive and kicking. And that proved to be Villahermosa’s inspiration in his breakout performance.
“Mindset ko lang talaga gusto naming manalo. ‘Wag lang namin sayangin yung chance na makapunta sa playoffs.”
