Zachy Huang was University of Santo Tomas’ resident post-creator during its silver run in UAAP Season 82.
Now, he looks to replicate the magic he had with head trainer Aldin Ayo in Manila Chooks.
Huang, who stands at 6-foot-2, will play a pivotal role for Manila Chooks come the 2021 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Doha Masters. He will play the role left by Troy Rike — to act as the second creator for the team through the post.
And it’s a role he relishes.
“First, hindi ko sasayangin itong opportunity na makalaro sa 3×3, kasi alam mo naman na magandang opportunity itong liga na ito na mabibigyan ako ng international exposure,” said the 23-year-old during an episode of Crossover Inside the Chooks-to-Go MPBL bubble. “Makakatulong talaga sa career, kaya pinagbubutihan ko. Nandiyan naman ‘yung veterans na si Coach Chico [Lanete] saka si Mac [Tallo] na makatulong din sa akin.
“Committed talaga ako dito. Nag-invest talaga ako.”
Though 3×3 and 5-on-5 are totally different games, Huang still plays the same responsibility he had with UST on his new team.
Huang will still be Ayo’s voice on the court, especially during defensive stands.
“Going back to UST days, parang ganon pa rin siya eh. Sobrang committed niya sa basketball. Parang lahat ng gusto niyang i-share sa’yo para makabuti sa’yo, so bakit naman hindi mo siya pakinggan ,’di ba? Ganon ‘yung approach niya. Kung gaano siya ka-committed sa basketball, parang gusto niya lahat ng players committed din sa team,” he shared.
“Sa relationship namin. wala akong masabi. Sobrang bait niya as a coach, parang mahiya ka na lang kung hindi ka susunod eh. Wala akong masabi na masama.”
Huang and the rest of Manila Chooks will be facing bigger opponents, though.
He and 6-foot-5 Dennis Santos will go up against the likes of 6-foot-9 Fabricio Vay and 6-foot-7 Filip Krämer when they face Austria’s Graz at 7:30PM; and 6-foot-7 Abdelrahman Yehia Abdelhaleem and 6-foot-10 Souley Ndour of Qatar’s Doha at 8:00PM.
But just like in UST, Huang will not back down.
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