INTAL GETTING MUCH-NEEDED CONFIDENCE BOOST
Unwanted by their former teams, a number of players have found a home in Barako Bull.
And for guys like JC Intal, he’s just thankful for the chance to prove that he can still match with the best in the league.
“Sobrang thankful lang ako sa teammates ko at sa coaching staff. Ang taas ng confidence na binibigay nila sa kin,” he said. “Si coach Bong (Ramos), di ako pinipigilan tumira kahit saan, pero iba talaga yung confidence na nakukuha ko.”
The confidence means so much for the 30-year-old ex-Ateneo cager as a number of injuries have derailed his seven-year pro career, with the latest being a meniscal tear on his left foot during his time with San Mig Coffee.
“It’s really frustrating lalo na nung na-injure ako sa San Mig Coffee, but di ako pwedeng mawalan ng loob. Kailangan maniwala pa rin ako sa sarili ko,” Intal said.
He adds, “Hopefully injury-free this year, kasi yun talaga yung setback ko sa past teams eh, and hopefully ma-sustain ko yung mga games na ganito.”
Intal scored six of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to go with six rebounds as Barako Bull scored a major upset with a 92-88 win over Petron Wednesday to take solo fifth place at 5-7.
“It’s a big win for us. Sobrang confidence booster ito for us kasi malakas din yung kalaban namin this Sunday in Ginebra, so we’re very, very happy na naka-upset kami,” Intal said. “Kahit nandito ako sa Barako Bull, malakas pa rin tong team na to and sabi nila farm team pero sana napu-prove namin kahit papaano na kaya naming tumapat sa ibang teams.”
The career rejuvenation that Intal is experiencing has also helped him regain his shooting stroke from beyond the arc, but the 6-foot-5 forward said that there isn’t anything new in his approach to his shot selection.
“Pinapractice ko lang talaga kaya buti nadadala sa game. Sobrang thankful ako kasi kailangan talaga i-practice (yung shooting) every day kasi once na nag-stop ka, once na nag-quit ka, mawawala talaga yung kumpyansa mo,” he said.
But Intal notes that there is someone who’s been pushing the players to do more in practice.
“Si Denok Miranda, number one yan na parating early sa gym. Pinupush nya kami lahat. Iba yung work ethic nung tao kaya nahahawa na kaming lahat ng mga players sa kanya,” he said.
“Grind talaga kami. Kaya sana tuloy-tuloy lang.” (RL)
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