Mark Nonoy may have shot the lights out against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, but his head coach Aldin Ayo wasn’t a happy man about it.
It is not that the two-time collegiate champion mentor was dissatisfied with his rookie’s performance, which consisted of 18 points at the back of 45.45-percent shooting in their 52-66 loss at the hands of Ateneo. It is just that he wants Nonoy to be more of a creator rather than the scorer for the UST Growling Tigers.
“To be honest, I’m worried he scored lots of points because supposedly, he has to make his teammates better. Kaya lang nagkataon kanina na siya ang nao-open eh. Next game, baka maghanap siya ng maghanap, which is not his role. The coaches want him to be a point guard, not a shooting guard,” said Ayo.
“Hindi yan nangyari sa high school because they have a different program there. Pero lahat ng mali ni Mark ngayon, tinatama namin kasi ngayon, gusto namin na maging point guard siya. He really has to because walang shooting guard sa PBA na five-foot-eight. We want him to be a point guard.”
Safe to say, Ayo simply has Nonoy’s best interests at heart. While the UAAP is a very competitive and glamorous league, it is still a grassroots competition that provides talent for the PBA and the national team program. And for that, the neophyte has plenty to learn in order to become one of the top local playmakers.
“Hopefully next game, sana hindi eighteen points.
“I want him to score ten points, twelve points, basta may fifteen assists and matakbo yung plays namin. Also, yung kalaban niyang point guard, basta ‘di makapag-set, yun ang hinihingi ko sa kanya ’cause that’s his role,” continued Ayo.
For his part, Nonoy himself seeks to become less of a scorer and more of a creator for his team. It is all about being a good soldier and surrendering to his coach’s system and teachings because by doing so, he becomes a better player and teammate.
“Sa akin, gusto ko din assists eh. Mas mapaganda (laro) ng teammate ko, and then lalo na sa akin kasi parang score din yan. Parang score na din ‘pag nag-assist ka. Nag-adjust na ako sa play ko pero hindi ko alam kung bakit eighteen points ako,” said the 19-year-old.
“Mahirap, pero nagtitiwala ako sa kanila coach dahil hindi lang para sa akin (ito) and hindi rin para sa kanila kundi para sa future ko. Yun yung tinitignan ni coach para sa akin, kaya gusto niya talaga maging point guard ako.”
As long as there is a will, there is a way.
When it comes to practice, Nonoy gives 100 percent every session. Every moment is valuable. But it is also fulfilling for the former Mythical Five awardee of the Juniors division whenever he sees his hard work pan out in an actual game — especially when his teammates convert his passes into points.
“First sa training. Hindi naman ako talaga pinupush ni coach na maging point guard, pero nagustuhan ko na din kasi masarap sa feeling ‘pag nakapasa ka tapos naka-shoot yung teammate mo. Parang dun ka humuhugot ng kumpyansa din kasi pinapaganda mo yung (laro) ng mga teammates mo,” added the Negros Occidental native.
Ultimately, Ayo just wants the best for the Growling Tigers. It is not only about making it to the Final Four and winning the championship. What he wants is to see his players prosper after their UAAP stint, which Nonoy is already grateful for.
“Nilo-look forward na yan ni coach kasi alam niya na hindi habang-buhay magkasama kami. Hindi buong basketball career namin, siya yung coach namin. Para mabilis kami maka-adjust for future namin, yan yung gusto ni coach sa amin.”
