Despite the underwhelming conclusion to an otherwise remarkable juniors basketball career, Syrex Silorio is looking to repay the trust of the school that took a chance on him as he heads to the collegiate ranks with the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament.
The 6-foot-3 power forward reaffirmed his commitment to the Knights after coming up short of a podium finish with the Squires against San Beda University Red Cubs in their battle for third match, 74-59, on Sunday at the FilOIl EcoOil Centre.
Far removed from their successful campaigns in Seasons 98 and 99 that saw them clinch back-to-back titles, the Squires also wrapped up the season with four straight losses including a sorry semifinal defeat.
There, Letran squandered a twice-to-beat bonus against the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde - La Salle Green Hills.
“First of all, thankful ako sa mga coaches especially Coach Willie [Miller] sa pag-aalaga sa loob at labas ng court –– sa pagdisiplina sa amin,” Silorio told GMA News Online.
“Mahilig siya [Coach Willie] magbigay ng chances kahit sa mga third stringers [even from] last season. Pasasalamat rin sa Panginoon kasi nakaabot pa rin kami sa Final Four. Unang una hindi namin ine-expect na makakaabot kami rito,” he went on.
[First of all, I'm thankful to my coaches, especially Coach Willie Miller for taking care of us both on and off the court, for teaching us discipline... He likes to give chances, even to third stringers form last season. Thanks also to the Lord because we were still able to reach the Final Four. First of all, we didn't expect that we would get here.]
With uncertainty looming over his young basketball career at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic three years ago, Silorio received a promising call from former Squires head coach Allen Ricardo, who took him in and guided him to a successful juniors stint.
This, before Ricardo eventually moved up to the seniors competition where they are set to reunite for good.
For that, it didn’t take much for Silorio to decide on where to take his next act.
“Nung pandemic wala na akong mapuntahang school noon. Siya [coach Allen RIcardo] lang ‘yung tumawag sa akin kaya na sa kaniya ‘yung commitment ko,” Silorio said.
“Napag-usapan na namin ni Coach Allen [Ricardo] ‘yung commitment ko. Malaki tiwala ko kay coach Allen kasi ilang years ko na siya nakasama. Lalo na ‘yung back-to-back titles,” he said.
[During the pandemic, I could not find a school to go to. He was the only one who called me so I gave him my commitment... Coach Allen and I have spoken about my commitment. I have a of trust in Coach Allen because we were together for a few years, especially the back-to-back titles.]
Silorio is looking to fill in the number four position, and join forces with his former juniors teammate Jonathan Manalili, who is eyeing to make his rookie debut after being sidelined last year due to injury.
“Excited ako tumulong sa depensa saka maging kuwatro dahil kulang sila sabi ni Coach Allen. Gagawin ko lahat ng makakaya ako para sa kanila,” he said.
[I'm excited to help out on defense and become a 4 because that's where they don't have enough, Coach Allen said. I'll do everything I can for them.]
In his final showing with the Squires, Silorio could only manage a dismal 3-of-9 shooting for eight points, with the rest of his side also failing to score in double-digits.
With the seniors tournament still months away, the 19-year-old Silorio was already hit with a reality that complacency would not get him far, especially with his competition about to be even more difficult and demanding.
“Pinakababaunin kong lesson wag maging kampante. Kasi inaamin ko hindi ako naging [focus] ngayon. Nag-relax ako. Masyado akong nakumpiyansa kaya humihingi ako ng pasensya sa mga teammates ko at saka sa coaches,” said Silorio.
“Ngayon sobrang excited naman ako for next season kasi makakasama ko ‘yung [former juniors] teammates ko. Excited rin ako makasama sila sa seniors.”
[The lesson I will take the most is don't get complacent. Because I'll admit, I wasn't able to be focused today. I relaxed. I got complacent so I'd like to apologize to my teammates and coaches... Now, I'm very excited for next season because I'll join my former juniors teammates. I'm excited to join them in the seniors.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
