Once on the verge of being left off Arellano University's NCAA Season 101 roster, sophomore guard Renzo Abiera has proven he rightfully deserves his spot in the Chiefs' lineup.
The 23-year-old shooting guard opened up about his preseason struggles, which led the Chiefs’ coaching staff to temporarily reassign him to Team B just weeks before the season began.
Abiera, however, didn’t take it personally.
Instead, he worked his way back up and eventually regained the trust of head coach Chico Manabat.
“Nu’ng preseason, hindi ako makakuha ng kumpiyansa. Binalik nga ako ni Coach Chico no’n sa Team B tapos akala ko hindi na ako mala-lineup, pero trabaho lang nang trabaho tapos hingi ng tulong kay God,” Abiera told GMA News Online on Wednesday.
“Normal na struggles sa pagiging athlete, na ‘yung slump — hindi maka-shoot, palaging napapagalitan, tapos mada-down.”
So far in Season 101, Abiera is proving Manabat right.
From averaging just 5.47 points and 1.53 rebounds, he has now boosted his numbers to 13.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, providing valuable support to their usual top scorer, T-MC Ongotan, who averages 15.33 points and 5.33 rebounds.
In their latest win against San Sebastian College–Recoletos, Abiera showcased his renewed confidence, finishing with 20 points highlighted by two crucial three-pointers late in the fourth quarter.
His heroics, combined with Ongotan’s leadership, helped the Chiefs grind out a 78-71 victory over the previously streaking Stags to improve to 4-6 in Group A.
“Sobrang crucial ng panalo na ‘to kasi ito ‘yung magbibigay sa amin, kumbaga, ng momentum,” Abiera added.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
