Just two months ago, Mark Nonoy was dominating the National Basketball Training Center’s All-Star Game.
The UST Tiger Cub scored 23 points in the showcase for the best Filipino high school cagers from all over the world.
The 5-foot-8 playmaker was adjudged as the MVP.
Before the summer ended, the 19-year-old played in another All-Star Game, as he was part of Team UAAP in the 2019 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup.
And he made sure to not miss it.
“Gusto ko lang ma-experience na makasama ko yung mga idol ko sa college ng UAAP. At gusto ko rin makakuha ng experience sa kanila para ma-apply ko rin for the upcoming season,” said the native of Negros Occidental.
Earlier in the day, Nonoy had just finished his high school graduation at UST’s Q-Pav. Not wanting to miss his first collegiate showpiece, he rode an Angkas just to get to the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Nonoy arrived with just 10 minutes remaining in the game. He finished with eight points.
“He’s really a jitterbug,” gushed Team UAAP head coach Franz Pumaren after his squad’s 86-83 win.
For Nonoy, he just wants to show his kuyas that he won’t be backing down come the UAAP season.
“Iniisip ko na parehas lang kami. ‘Pag nasa court ka, mag-go hard ka talaga para makatulong sa team.
“Ako ‘pag nasa court ako, kung ano ang maitutulong ko sa teammates ko at sa coaches ko, yun ang ginagawa ko,” he closed.
