Louie Sangalang showed up big time during their bout against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Saturday.
Sangalang was everywhere – putting up eight points, two assists, a rebound, a steal, and a block. And all that in the payoff period alone, to pull off the 70-67 win versus the Altas.
For the 6-foot-4 bruiser, it was something that he had to do before exiting the game early due to foul trouble.
“Para sa’kin, buti nakabawi ako nung huli, na bago ako mafouled-out may na-contribute ako. Kasi ang tagal ko din nakaupo dahil sa foul trouble,” said Sangalang, who finished with the game with 14 markers, two boards, three assists, a steal and a block.
“Mas maganda sana kung na-maintain ko yung depensa ko ng maayos.”
Sangalang was in foul trouble most of the game. He had to leave early after picking up his fifth foul just before the final two-minute mark.
Despite playing limited minutes, it was still a good showing for the Letran big since he matched up with Perpetual’s Mark Omega.
But for him though, it was all brotherly love since the Perpetual big man was once a Squire from Letran.
“Okay naman, magkaibigan naman kami. Wala naman sa’kin yon kahit ano sabihin niya. Laro lang,” said Sangalang.
“Sa akin wala naman yon, kasi lumapit siya sa’kin. Sabi niya, ‘Kuya, wala yon.’”
The 24-year-old bruiser also shared that there is a feeling of regret after missing two games for the Knights. After all, those Letran’s first back-to-back defeats since 2019.
And now, he vowed to play more calmly than before as he is embracing his new nickname – Saint Louie.
“Siguro para sa’kin na lang yung character ko, iibahin ko na, mas controlled ko na. Sa laro ko siguro mas bibigay ko pa, mas kailangan ko pa mag-mature. Lalo na kanina marami pa sana ako matutulong,” he said.
“Kahit yung parents namin ni Brent [Paraiso] sinasabihan din kami na lesson learned, test of character yan. Sana maging lesson na talaga para di maulit,” he regretted.
