For Brandey Bienes, it’s all about waiting for that right moment.
Entering the Far Eastern University Tamaraws’ game against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, they were already at a handicap as their lead scorer Arvin Tolentino was suspended for the game.
Then in the game itself, the Tamaraws committed a mortal sin against the defending champions as they fell behind early, 3-18.
“If you noticed, kami ang pinaka-grabe ‘yung schedule. Meron pa kaming laro sa Linggo. So, we played five games in two weeks. Tama? Sunday, Wednesday, Sunday, Wednesday, Sunday. Hindi ko alam kung kelan huling nangyari ‘yun sa isang UAAP team,” shared second-year Tamaraws head coach Olsen Racela.
“And to add to that, back-to-back ‘yung ano namin, Adamson and Ateneo. And then, we played Ateneo without our top scorer,” he added.
“So kung ako tatanungin, hindi ko rin alam kung paano namin ginawa ‘yun eh.”
The answer, though, had just been sitting on his bench for the longest time.
Brandrey Bienes, who only played for 5.5 minutes so far in the season, stepped up big in FEU’s huge third quarter rally.
With his teammates heating up, the 6-foot-5 stretch forward joined the party, knocking down a booming triple to knot the game up at 36-all. Later on in the final frame, he knocked down another triple to put FEU up seven points late in the game. Those points were big, as FEU were able to eke out a 63-60 victory to close out their opening round campaign.
Though having played in Batang Gilas back in 2014, Bienes has seen little time in FEU in his three-year stay. And it’s because of his respect for seniority.
“Si Rey, naglaro siya ng isang game, UE. Pero, itong big game na ganito, he’s ready. It’s just unfortunate that he’s playing behind 2 seniors, si Arvin [Tolentino] saka si Richard [Escoto],” Racela added.
“Pero ready siya.”
For his part, the 22-year-old has always been ready.
“Hindi naman namin gusto na ma-suspend si Arvin, sabi nga ni coach, ready lang talaga kasi malay mo, bunutin ka. Ready lang talaga. Iniisip ko kagabi, hindi maglalaro si Arvin. Siguro, paglalaruin ako ni coach. Ayun, naging ready lang ako ngayong game,” he shared.
“Nag-ready talaga ako.”
