By: Joaquin Cortez
SJ Moore has been waiting a long time for a performance like this.
After bouncing between different stops and patiently working his way toward a bigger role, the College of Saint Benilde wing finally delivered the breakout performance he had long been waiting for in NCAA Season 102.
And the timing could not have been more important for the Blazers. The team has been forced to make up for the absence of several key players, including Allen Liwag, Raffy Celis, and Irele Galas, in the early stretch of the season.
For the athletic winger from Baclayon, Bohol, the performance was the culmination of years of patience, adjustment, and growth.
“Matagal ko nang hinihintay ’to,” Moore said.
“Hindi ko lang masabi na oras and minutes na hinihintay ko kasi maraming kulang sa game ko dati. So ngayon, thankful ako ngayon na na-adjust ko ang game ko.”
Moore showed just how much those adjustments had paid off, scoring 18 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds to finish as Benilde’s second-leading scorer. However, the Blazers ultimately suffered their first loss of the season against Jose Rizal University late in the game on Sunday.
Before arriving at Benilde, Moore was already one of the top scorers in the high school ranks during his first stint in the NCAA.
Playing for Arellano University in the juniors’ division, Moore averaged 19.25 points, 7.26 rebounds, and 2.0 assists during his senior year.
His transition to the collegiate level, however, was far from smooth. Moore moved to the UAAP but saw limited opportunities.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
During his lone season with the University of Santo Tomas, he averaged just 2.36 points and 1.36 rebounds in 11 appearances for the rebuilding Growling Tigers in Season 86.
Even the start of Season 102 suggested that Moore would have to endure another slow climb.
He found himself held scoreless on 0-of-5 shooting in Benilde’s opening win over defending champion San Beda. Then he bounced back with 10 points and five rebounds in the Blazers’ victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University.
But as his role grew, so did Moore’s confidence.
The guard has benefited from the trust placed in him by newly-appointed head coach Paolo Layug, who has given him a bigger role this season after seeing the work Moore put in during the offseason and preseason tournaments.
“Nakikita naman talaga ni Coach Paolo ‘yong nilagay kong effort sa preseason at ’yong ipinakita ko ngayon,” said Moore.
That confidence from the coaching staff has translated directly to Moore’s play on the floor.
“It’s been a lot. Hindi na ako nagdadalawang-isip pa pag gumagawa ng decision. Parang binigyan nila ako ng confidence.”
Even without key contributors Liwag, Celis, and Galas, Moore insisted that the Blazers are not using the absences of their veterans as an excuse.
“Same lang pa rin ang approach. In every game, huwag isipin na mayroon kaming ganito, ganyan. Patas sa laro, simula sa zero.”
While Benilde ultimately came up short, Moore believes the Blazers simply need to improve their communication and defensive awareness after allowing JRU to pull away late.
“Siguro maybe yung communication, tsaka yung pag-identify sa tao namin at yung feedback. Kailangan naming ayusin ’yon sa next practice or next game,” he said.
