Filipino-American winger Justin Gutang will head into the NCAA Season 94 Seniors Basketball Tournament as a marked man.
Though just a rookie, he turned heads during the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup campaign with the Go for Gold Scratchers and the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, presented by Chooks-to-Go with the College of Saint Benilde Blazers.
But it was not supposed to be this way especially for a rookie that went under-the radar. Maybe, it was because of the trust quickly given to him by second-year Blazers head coach TY Tang. Or maybe it was the other way around.
Back in 2017, Tang was introduced to Gutang during a trip to San Francisco, California. And Tang was quickly fascinated by what the 6-foot-3 guard can bring.
“Justin is really a diamond in the rough,” Tang shared. “We went to the States, found him there and he didn’t mind coming over here until the last minute. Through a lot of discussions over Facebook Messenger, something just switched in his mind to come over here.”
“I did not know it was a recruiting process but when I talked to him, I felt like I could trust him,” Gutang added.
Tang’s pitch was simple. He did not offer any exorbitant promises. What he just told Gutang was that he will be part of a family and that the coaching staff will be there for him.
That was enough to bring Gutang back home.
“He has a way with his words. He’s just a nice guy both on and off the court. It felt like he will take care of you. That was enough for me to trust him,” Gutang expressed.
Once he was here, Gutang was quickly sent to the fire by Tang. In just his first year, he was lined up to join a team of some of brightest young stars and grizzled veterans in Go for Gold. Then in the Preseason Cup, he became a focal point of CSB’s offense.
And it’s because Tang has high hopes for him.
“I think he is already a made player, nothing much work needed to be done except his attitude and character. In terms of his skillset, I think he is ready to play in the NCAA and maybe one day be part of Gilas,” beamed the former PBA pro.
“I think he has that kind of game to play for our Gilas team.”
