Hontiveros pays tribute to Cebu roots after breakout game for Gilas

CHANGSHA, China - Dondon Hontiveros emerged from the gymnasium clad in a familiar yellow shirt after Gilas Pilipinas won their semifinal game against Japan in the FIBA Asia Championship on Friday night.

The team captain just played his best game of the tournament so far with 18 points off six three-pointers and a monster block of Japanese hotshot Makoto Hiejima, but he chose to celebrate by looking back to his roots.

The 38-year-old veteran wore his old University of Cebu Webmasters shirt, honoring the institution where he started to carve his name in basketball.

"I was thinking of wearing this shirt to represent the school I came from, kami ni June Mar (Fajardo)," Hontiveros said.

The Gilas shooting guard has been struggling with his shooting the whole tournament, hitting 11-of-30 from beyond the arc in the national team's first seven games.

IN PHOTOS: GILAS PILIPINAS VS. JAPAN

But he exploded just at the right time in the important semifinal game against the gritty Japanese team, providing the necessary lift to allow the Philippines to pull away down the stretch after the tight match.

Hontiveros said he just stayed patient and confident with his shots, trusting that they will fall soon if he starts getting his defensive rhythm.

"Even that first shot that I took, it felt good when it left my hand e," he said about missing his first attempt from downtown. "Na-miss lang, sabi ko the second one should come in, parang ganun. And 'yun nga, tuloy-tuloy na."

The captain should be right on the mark again on Saturday with Gilas Pilipinas facing host country China for the gold medal match, and Hontiveros said he is up for the challenge.

"We're ready. We just have to be mentally tough and be ready for the crowd supporting China," he said. --JST, GMA News