Ato Ular further proved why Blackwater did the right thing by picking him in the recent PBA Rookie Draft following an explosion to remember that ultimately helped the Bossing extend their streak in the Philippine Cup, Friday.
Just in his sixth game in the league, the 13th overall pick reset his career-high in points with 34 as the Bossing took down Phoenix Super LPG, 91-89.
He shot an impressive 15-of-21 from the field, including a 3-of-5 clip from deep that saw him nail crucial treys down the stretch that enabled his side to keep close. He also collected 10 rebounds in nearly 28 minutes of play.
According to league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III, that’s the most points scored by a rookie since Mikey Williams dropped 39 in Game 3 of the 2021 Philippine Cup Finals, which his TNT eventually won in five against Magnolia.
Furthermore, it is the most by a second-rounder since Jeff Chan had 34 also against Barako Bull back in 2013 when he was still with Rain or Shine.
Ular, whose previous record was 19 which he set last game against Meralco, said that it’s all thanks to the trust of head coach Ariel Vanguardia.
(C) PBA Images
“Ito talagang si coach, ito ‘yung isang nagbibigay sakin ng kumpiyansang talagang sobra-sobra kasi pinapabayaan niya akong gawin tapos sinasabihan niya ako, tinuturuan niya talaga ako nang mabuti,” he said.
“Hindi ko nga in-expect na ganoon kalaki yung points ko basta ginagawa ko yung best ko sa loob ng court,” he added.
Vanguardia is indeed glad to see his prized forward perform, and at the same time feels vindicated with their decision to go with him.
The veteran bench tactician disclosed that the team actually pondered on whether they’d pick Ular or Chris Lalata, but ultimately went with the former because of his championship pedigree with the Knights.
The 6-foot-5 Lalata, who just like Ular played in the MPBL prior to getting drafted, had a good game as well against Blackwater, tallying 10 points and two rebounds.
(C) PBA Images
“It was a choice between Lalata and Ular,” said Vanguardia. “Kasi maganda yung parehong laro nila sa draft combine. Palitan sila ng mukha eh.
“But Coach Tino [Pinat] is from Letran, ako Letran High School. Sabi ko dito tayo. Tsaka sa champion. Doon. Iyon ang choice.”
Ular’s winning mentality has definitely been translating well into the big league, much to the delight of the Dioceldo Sy-owned ball club.
“The best is yet to come. Yun lang yung pini-preach ko sa kanila. Like Ato, Best Player, Player of the Week, then 34 points,” Vanguardia said, who was stunned upon learning that Ular dropped 34.
“The best is yet to come.”
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