RELISHING THE MANILA CLASICO ATMOSPHERE
Playing his first ever Manila Clasico on Sunday, Joseph Yeo felt like he was transported back through memory lane with the crowd watching their every move.
“Di ko alam na ganto pala ka-big deal yung Manila Clasico. Feeling ko parang nasa college ulit ako eh. Parang Ateneo-La Salle sa sobrang dami ng taong nanood,” he said. “Buti ngayon natapat yung magandang game ko.”
Yeo finished with 17 points, 12 of which coming in the third quarter when Ginebra pulled away from Purefoods Star, en route to a 89-66 thumping of the Hotshots.
Many were surprised with the margin of victory in this much awaited game, but Yeo only has nice words for their rivals, saying that the Ginebra squad still looks up to them in terms of their execution of the triangle.
“Sila yung perfect example na gusto naming gayahin. Maganda na yung tinatakbo nila. Four-time champions sila. Ako, tinitignan ko sila PJ (Simon), sila James (Yap) kung saan nila nakukuha yung puntos nila. Yun ang gusto naming mangyari,” he said.
It’s also quite surprising that Yeo, a known open court nightmare, is flourishing in the systematic play of the triangle. But he said all of that comes with experience, as he has already learned how to adapt well in the teams he has suited up for.
“Sa tagal ko sa PBA, natutunan ko na rin yun,” he said. “Dito sa Ginebra, nagkaroon ng structure sa triangle. Sana maging ok yung takbo ng offense namin. Di naman pwedeng laging takbuhan. Si coach, gusto nya slow break, pero kung meron, ok lang. Ayaw nya nagpipilit.”
Yeo added, “Yung triangle namin today, di namin masasabing na-run eh. More of pick-and-roll kami. Dun lang namin na-maximize yung strength namin kasi ang dami naming pick-and-roll players. May bigs pa kami, so tingin ko, yun ang mas pinractice namin. Nabigyan kami ni coach Jeff ng free will sa game na to.”
Even with their team sitting at second place with a 4-1 card, the Ninja remains cautious, saying, “Ang dami pang pwedeng mangyari. Tinatarget lang namin yung top two, so every game talaga, parang di kami pwedeng matalo para makuha namin yun.” (RL)
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