Mark Denver Omega made his mark for Colegio de San Juan de Letran last Sunday as the Knights defeated Arellano University, 83-65, in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament.
The big man tallied 18 points and 12 rebounds, on top of an assist and a steal, as the Intramuros crew rolled to its fifth straight win after opening the season with three consecutive losses.
It was a far cry from his previous performances, where he averaged 3.86 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.
Apparently, Letran head coach Allen Ricardo got some help from Omega’s former mentor, Myk Saguiguit, who previously coached him at the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
“I want to thank Coach Myk Saguiguit kasi nung nag-struggle si Mark, tinawagan ko si Coach Myk, malapit ko ring kaibigan ‘yan,” Ricardo said last Sunday.
“Sabi ko, ‘Coach, baka you could help me with Mark. Can you give me some feedback or criticize me in terms of how I manage him?’” Ricardo recalled.
(I want to thank Coach Myk Saguiguit because when Mark struggled, I called Coach Myk, he's a close friend of mine. I said, 'Coach maybe you could help me with Mark. Can you give me some feedback or criticize me in terms of how I manage him?')
From there, Ricardo said he eventually talked to Omega and they came to an agreement about his role.
“He responded sa gusto kong mangyari,” Ricardo said.
“Nandu’n siya, and I’m happy na nandito ‘yung Mark Omega na hinahanap ko.”
(He responded in the way I wanted... He's there, and I'm happy that the Mark Omega I've been looking for is here.)
It was not only Ricardo who spoke with Saguiguit, Omega also reached out to his former coach for advice.
“Kinausap ko rin si Coach Myk before. Tinanong ko anong tingin niya sa’kin this season. Sabi niya, nawala raw confidence ko dahil sa foul trouble ko. Sabi niya, laruin ko lang ‘yung nilalaro ko dati sa Perpetual,” Omega shared.
(I spoke to Coach Myk before. I asked what he thought of my play this season. He said my confidence wasn't there because of my foul trouble. He said just play how I used to play in Perpetual.)
For that, Omega said he will always be grateful to Saguiguit.
“Sobrang laking tulong kasi siya ang nagbigay sa akin ng confidence nung nagsisimula pa lang ako sa Perpetual,” he added.
(He was such a big help because he gave me the confidence even starting from Perpetual.)
From now, Omega hopes to be more consistent with his performance.
"Siguro magtuloy-tuloy na 'tong confidence ko, basta maging matured lang ako sa foul trouble. 'Yun kasi ang nagiging struggle ko, nawawala ako."
(I guess my confidence will continue, as long as I show maturity with foul trouble. That's what I struggle with.)
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
