Ronnie Matias was one of the most renowned bruisers in the PBA a decade ago.
During the majority of his 10-year career in the big league, the 6-foot-4 forward from Tondo played under Yeng Guiao, resulting in three PBA championships.
Following that – and up to today – the now 40-year-old cager began plying his trade in the MPBL.
But he is not the only Matias currently playing.
His 16-year-old son Mot is currently shining brightly in the UAAP’s under-16 boys’ division with National University Nazareth School.
But unlike Ronnie, Mot, who stands at 5-foot-9, is not a bruiser. He is a heady floor general but still displays the same fire his dad has.
“Yung tatay ko big yung laro e, ako guard. Lagi niya ko ineensayo nun tapos dinagdagan ko na lang ng bilis yung laro niya,” shared the Grade 9 Bullpup.
Mot has steered NUNS to an impressive 4-0 start in the demonstration event.
He is currently averaging 10.75 points and a league-leading 10.0 assists per contest.
Mot knows that shooting is not his strong suit as he is just shooting 18-of-47 from the field so far.
But he makes up for it with his floor generalship.
“Para sa akin, madami pa akong kailangan i-improve lalo na sa shooting ko. Madami pa akong pinagtratrabahuan,” he said.
Bullpups head coach Kevin de Castro constantly reminds Mot that his shots will drop sooner or later.
What’s more important is that he makes the team look good.
“Nakita ko talagang may talent yung bata na ‘to,” said De Castro after their 70-61 win over the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws last Wednesday.
“Kahit hindi siya nakaka-score, sabi ko sa kanya, pagalingin mo ang mga kasama mo kasi nakaka-boost yun sa mga kakampi niya.”
For his part, Mot is looking to prove that he deserves to be part of the esteemed Bullpups program not just because he is the son of a former player.
“Malaking impluwensya sa akin yung tatay ko kasi 10 years siya naglaro sa PBA. Kailangan ko sundan yun at mas tagalan pa. Kailangan ko rin sipagan sa pag-aaral at sa training,” he said.
“Lagi ko pinapakita kay Coach Kev (De Castro) na karapatdapat ako sumunod sa yapak ng tatay ko.“
