UAAP: Shaun Lucido plays inspired basketball, fires NUNS into title decider

In a heated finals series where two teams at the top of their games face off, X’s and O’s usually go out the window. Players, coaches, and staff members alike seek for that extra sprinkle of inspiration, in the hopes it could inch them closer to championship glory.

For 18-year-old Shaun Lucido, the spark came when his father Shree Brian came all the way from Bicol to watch National University Nazareth School play Far Eastern University-Diliman in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 Boys Basketball Finals.

With his team’s title chances hanging in the balance, the young six-foot gunner took onus of the scoring charge early, exploding for 17 first-half points to help NUNS build a comfortable lead.

Lucido eventually finished the matchup with 25 points, drilling six threes in the process, as NUNS won, 80-59.

Despite being embattled for a couple of years now alongside the NUNS program, the former U16 Most Valuable Player said that he still gets an extra kick when his loved ones make the effort to watch him play.

“Si papa, galing Bicol, pumunta pa rito para manood ng game. So 'yun, nakuha ko 'yung kumpuyansa ko dahil sa kanya eh. Nanood siya eh,” acclaimed Lucido.

“Tapos syempre sa mga nasa paligid na nagsasabi sa akin na ‘Kaya mo 'yan’. Dun ko nakuha 'yung kumpiyansa ko dahil sa kanila.

At the core of winning numerous individual and team achievements, with the possibility of adding one more come the end of Game 3, Lucido credits his father for the player he is now.

“Siya po 'yung dahilan kung bakit po ako nagsimula ng basketball. Kaya siguro dun ko nakuha 'yung kumpiyansa ko,” said the shooting guard.

With all to play for on Monday, NUNS’ proclaimed “silent operator” asserted that he and his team are ready to give their all for the Blue and Gold.

“Gutom na gutom na kami kasi matagal na naming pinagtrabahuan ‘to eh."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News