Ian Cuajao had long awaited his chance to face his older brother Deo on the big stage. And when that moment finally came, the younger Cuajao set aside brotherly ties to deliver for San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
The 20-year-old Ian played a key role in the Stags’ thrilling 82–81 escape over Deo’s Colegio de San Juan de Letran — a win that ended San Sebastian’s five-game skid while halting the Knights’ own five-game surge.
In the second quarter, the brothers traded long bombs with the younger Cuajao knocking one down against the defense of Deo then hit a gun gesture celebration, which led to a technical foul on him.
The graduating Deo made sure to get back, burying one triple to bring Letran to within four 4:33 left in the frame.
"Oo mas mas marami ‘yung score niya sa akin e tapos gusto ko lang makabawi sa kanya kasi nu’ng FilOil [preseason tournament] binaril niya rin ako e," Ian said in jest.
"Nakaka-boost po ng kumpyansa lalo na sa mga upcoming games, dadalhin po namin ito."
(Yes, he scored more than me, but I wanted to get back at him because in the FilOil preseason tournament, he did the gun gesture against me... It's a big boost of confidence especially for the upcoming games, we'll carry this with us.)
And while Deo posted more points in the game, it was Ian's team that got the last laugh after the Stags pulled off the stunner that helped the embattled San Sebastian improve to 2-7 in Group A.
Deo finished with 22 points on 5-of-12 triples together with four rebounds and one assist while Ian tallied 13 markers and three boards in their first-ever NCAA encounter.
Still, Ian said facing his big brother only pushes him to raise his game—and he’s excited for more Cuajao vs. Cuajao battles in the NCAA and beyond.
"Syempre magandang feeling sa akin and proud ako kasi naabutan ko pa siya at sana may susunod pa sa mga big leagues pa," Ian added.
"‘Yung advice as a kuya ay laging galingan at mag-extra lang. Sa kanya ko nakuha ‘yun e, ‘yung laging nag-e-extra."
(Of course it's a good feeling for me and I'm proud that I was able to make it while he's still here. I hope there are more big league in the future... His advice as a big brother is to just play as best as I can and do extra work. He's where I got that from, always doing extra work.)
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
