Shaun Lucido played his heart out to keep National University Nazareth School’s championship hopes alive on Thursday.
Knowing that a loss would mean an early exit, the former UAAP Junior High School Boys’ Basketball MVP took control from the start against the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws, scoring 17 of his 25 points in the first half alone.
He attacked from all angles, knocking down long-range shots while driving through the lanes, helping NUNS secure another day with an 80-59 victory.
His inspired performance was fueled by two important figures in his life — his father, Shree Brian, and his coach, Kevin De Castro.
Shree Brian traveled all the way from Bicol to Quezon City just to watch his son play. Seeing his father in the stands gave Shaun the extra push to lead NUNS.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Siguro po, sa pamilya ko. Si Papa galing Bicol at nagsumunta pa dito para manood ng Game 2. Kaya parang nakuha ko yung kumpiyansa ko dahil sa kanya yun, parang manood siya, at siyempre, yung mga nasa paligid ko, yung mga nagsasabi sa akin, ‘Kaya mo ‘yan.’ Parang, maging kumpyansa lang,” said Lucido.
“Siya po yung dahilan kung bakit ako nagsimula sa basketball.”
Shaun is also driven by the desire to finally give De Castro a trophy in the 19-and-under ranks. For the past two years, De Castro had come close to winning the boys’ division, only to fall in Game 3 against Adamson in UAAP Season 86 and the University of Santo Tomas the following season.
“Siguro po, sobrang gutom na gutom na kami kasi matagal na po talaga naming pinagtrabahuhan ito. Tatlong championship na yung appearance namin, kaya parang natalo kami,” said Lucido.
Looking ahead to Game 3 on Monday, Lucido knows the Baby Tamaraws will try to contain him. But fueled by motivation, he is ready to give everything to end NUNS’ six-year title drought.
“Yung mindset namin sa Game 3, umaga, do-double namin yung effort namin para sa nilayo namin ngayon. Kaya, para sa Game 3, yung approach namin ay parang Game 1 pa rin,” he said.
“Parang 0-0 lahat, kaya kailangan talaga magpagtrabaho pa lalo sa ensayo.”
