Josh Lazaro’s numbers won’t floor people, especially during Ateneo’s 94-72 win over University of the East on Thursday.
The Ateneo rookie only produced two points and four rebounds in 14 minutes and eight seconds of action.
Not eye-popping? Well, if you look at the far end of the stat sheet, the 6-foot-4 swiss army knife was a game-high plus-22, meaning every time he was on the floor, the Blue Eagles were outscoring the Red Warriors.
To put into context, Lazaro’s net rating was two points higher than Gian Mamuyac, who had 16 points and nine rebounds in the game, and six points better than Ange Kouame, who produced 21 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks.
And it’s this impact that made Tab Baldwin go full trust with Lazaro ever since the very first game of UAAP Season 84.
“I think Josh has probably surprised a lot of people this season,” said Baldwin about Lazaro, a former Blue Eaglet and San Beda Red Cub. “Obviously, it’s not surprising us because we saw the quality early on.
“From the first game, when he went out there, he looked like a composed player and that’s something that wasn’t expected,” he continued as Lazaro was averaging 11 minutes a game prior to the Red Warriors tilt. “We did not have a real preseason, there are a lot of surprises in the roster, how different guys are playing. But Josh gives us explosiveness in the four spot. He is a very good rebounder, he runs the floor well, and he’s becoming a real good defender. He has the natural physical tools to be a real good defender and he is a really good student of the game.
“So obviously, when he is a plus-22, things were going better if he was out there and I think it harkens back to the rebounding work and getting us getting up and down the floor quicker and getting a little bit more pressure on the perimeter defensively. Just the fact that we were playing better basketball when he was out there, he was part of that.”
Definitely, Lazaro has stepped up in lieu of Raffy Verano, who was out for the contest due to a muscle spasm. And in the future, the 19-year-old is also showing flashes of being the next William Navarro.
Of course, Mamuyac was grateful that Lazaro stepped up, helping not waste his career outing.
“I just want to give credit to this guy here, Josh Lazaro, for stepping up in the absence of Raffy Verano,” said the Ateneo skipper.
“Just shows our team is composed of individuals that are really capable of stepping up and making an impact in this game.”
Lazaro though knows that he still has a lot of adjusting and growing to do.
But he is just glad to be in a system where each player is being put in a position to succeed on a nightly basis.
“I think I’m adjusting well sa program ni Coach Tab and I went here for his program.
“All I have to do is follow what he wants us to do. I think the transition has been smooth, especially with my captain here. He has done a good job guiding us rookies,” said Lazaro. “It’s been nice kasi with Coach Tab guiding us, he makes things easier for us. It’s his system.”
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