Marion Magat is thriving in his new home.
Going unsigned by the Alaska Aces in the off-season, which ended their three-year relationship, the 6-foot-6 center out of National University is proving his worth for head coach Yeng Guiao and the NLEX Road Warriors.
In his NLEX debut last January 18 versus Rain or Shine, Magat made 13 points and three rebounds in over 12 minutes. He followed it up with a near-double-double of eight points and eight two nights later against NorthPort Batang Pier.
NLEX lost both games, but Magat undoubtedly has been a silver lining.
“Sa’kin back to zero ako eh.
“Yung laro ko, yung pagkilos ko sa court. Parang rookie ba, bumalik ako sa rookie,” Magat admitted. “Pero yung adjustment naman kay coach, sinabi naman niya sa akin na ilaro ko lang yung laro ko. Tapos yun, hustle lang. Kaya di na ko nanibago sa laro.”
In a way, his back-to-back good performances show Alaska what they had let go. But for Magat, he is simply taking the opportunity that Guiao has given him, especially since Guiao is known to get the best out of the big men he handles.
“Siguro. Tinitingnan kong malaking bagay na binibigyan ako ng playing time ni coach. Sa kanya naman, sabi nya sa akin wag daw ako magdalawang isip. Basta libre, itira ko lang daw,” he said.
Still, Magat made it clear that he does not have any ill feelings towards Alaska – who drafted him as the 18th overall pick back in 2015 – because he understands why they did not offer him a contract extension.
“Wala naman.
“Alam ko naman at tsaka alam din nila na ‘di na nila ‘ko mabibigyan ng playing time dahil nga andun sina Vic [Manuel], sina kuya Sonny [Thoss], andun pa sina CBC [Carl Cruz]. Maganda pa nilalaro ni Jake Pascual at ni Noy [Baclao],” he shared.
“Pero naisip-isip ko rin na okay din sa akin na ni-release nila ako,” he added.
Magat is having a good time so far with NLEX, but that doesn’t mean he will refrain from developing himself. Magat knows that he’s lanky, so he looks to bulk up, just like how Beau Belga and JR Quinahan did for Yeng Guiao back in Rain or Shine.
“Kaya kailangan ko kumain ng bakal ngayon para yun, para lumaki katawan,” quipped Magat.
“Extra rice na rin ako. Mage-extra rice na rin ako palagi.”
