PAGADIAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR — Kentoy Segura hurt his left hamstring midway through the third quarter in Roxas’ battle against Basilan BRT in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Challenge, Sunday.
And he really thought he was done for the night as he heard something pop.
“Pumitik ‘yung left hamstring ko noong pagbuhat ko pa layup eh. Akala ko di na ako makakabalik kasi ‘yung hamstring ko may pumitik eh,” said Segura.
That happened at the 6:13 mark of the third period when he was all alone in the fastbreak but missed the layup and fell hard to the ground. He was relieved by Samuel Solatorio.
But after being iced by the medics, the 5-foot-10 combo guard was made available to return.
And that he did in dominant fashion, leading the Vanguards to an 83-77 conquest of the Peace Riders at the Pagadian City Gymnasium here.
Held to just three points in the first three frames, Segura just went all out in the fourth when he was subbed in at the 8:33 mark.
He poured in 14 of his 17 points in the payoff period alongside five rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block.
Most importantly, he delivered in the clutch.
Down 75-77, the Davao native was sent to the line for three straight occasions and he swished all six shots to give his side an 81-77 advantage with 11.5 ticks left.
“Nandoon naman lagi ‘yung kaba pero syempre focus lang ako palagi saka kapag nagpi-free throw ako kinakausap ko lang ‘yung Diyos na gabayan ako,” he said.
But what really pushed him to be the best version of himself down the stretch?
Roxas head coach Alvin Grey might have something to do with it.
“Noong nilabas ako ni Coach Alvin, nire-reverse psychology niya ako na, ‘Wala ka pala eh!’ Kaya nachallenge ako,” said Segura.
“Kaya nung pinasok ulit ako go hard talaga ako, hindi ako na-pressure kasi alam ko naman na chini-cheer up lang ako ni coach kaya niya sinasabi ‘yun.”
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