Matt Nieto definitely felt happy that he won over his brother Mike when NLEX rallied to beat Rain or Shine in PBA Governors’ Cup action, Friday.
“Masaya na ako ang first blood,” quipped the heady playmaker to Tiebreaker Times moments after his Road Warriors’ 109-100 overtime win.
The twins, though, admitted that it actually felt new not just to them. Their entire family also felt it when they squared off against one another.
Well, that’s because the two were quite inseparable before. From their Ateneo days all the way to Gilas Pilipinas Men, they played alongside each other.
“Nakakapanibago rin,” said Matt, who finished with four points, three assists, two rebounds, and a steal in the come-from-behind win.
“It was new, not only for the both of us but also our parents,” offered Mike. “Hindi kasi talaga sanay na magkahiwalay or magkalaban kami.
“Kaya nga nasa gitna lang sila kanina, at pumapalakpak for both teams.”
As strange as it was, however, they knew very well that it would happen.
“Well, yes. Kasi ‘di naman namin control talaga ang team na kukuha sa amin,” said Mike, the fifth pick of the special Gilas draft in 2019.
Thus, the excitement on their part for that opportunity to take place.
“As you all know, kami ni Matt, very competitive. Kaya we were both looking forward to the challenge of facing each other in the PBA,” said Mike.
But then again, Matt was the one who came out victorious in the clash, helping NLEX strengthen its bid for a Top Four finish.
At the end of the day, though, they’re still family. And the competitive fire they showed on the court has turned to, expectedly, playful ribbing.
“Nandito kami sa dinner, naglolokohan na,” Matt shared. “Kasi serious sa loob ng court kanina eh, walang may gusto magpatalo.
“Pero masaya rin, nanalo,” he added.
Now that their first match-up is in the books, Mike looks forward to many more moving forward – and to get back at his bro, of course.
“For me, it’s really exciting, seeing Matt on the other side of the court,” said the winger, who had six points for Rain or Shine.
“And I’m looking forward to more match-ups with him.”
—
All PBA games stream live on GigaPlay. Download it now on Android or IOS.
The second game of each playdate is also livestreamed on SMART Sports.
