When San Juan – Go for Gold AICC went into their first-ever game of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational, they went into the court without more than half of its vaunted roster from two years ago.
This includes John Wilson and Mike Ayonayon. The former went to San Juan’s archrival Davao Occidental, while the latter is with NLEX in the PBA.
And in the Knights’ return to the MPBL, Orlan Wamar showed that he can be the next great San Juan guard.
The 5-foot-6 guard out of Olivarez College torched Val City-MJAS Zenith, dropping 27 points built on seven treys and leading San Juan to a 97-64 win to open C.
Head coach Randy Alcantara felt pleased with how the guard took care of his conditioning even during the lockdown days. He also saw it in the flesh when they resumed training.
He said, “Nakita naman namin na hindi siya nagpapabaya sa sarili niya. Even don sa lockdown or don sa wala kaming practice talaga. Nakita namin na hindi siya tumaba. Nakita namin na talagang ready siya kung bumalik yung basketball.
“Yun yung maganda kay Orlan, alam niya yung responsibility niya as one of the leaders of the team.”
For Wamar, he is embracing the challenge of leading San Juan.
“Tinake ko siya as opportunity kasi dati natatabunan. Kaya nagpapasalamat din ako sa coaching staff namin lagi ng kumpiyansa. Kailangang sipagan din para makatulong sa team.”
