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Ang lupit! Tigers' go-to-guy!
Kailangan lang ng mas mahabang playing time for this player!
against Perpetual: Straight 14 points in the 3Q. 70-66
against Ateneo: Straight 11 points in the 2Q, 18 points to topscore UST, 63-65.
So watch out for Mariano!
Sobrang totoo yan. Isang season din siyang nawala e. Kaya kailangan niyang bumawiiiiiiiiiii.
Aljon is a man on a mission. Great to see him back at full strength! He looks even better than he did two years ago!
21 points and 13 rebounds! Only on his second game..
Way to go Aljon Mariano! What a guy!
Call it a Comeback
Ateneo de Manila University head coach Norman Black has always been a good judge of talent.
Unfortunately for him, the player he kept his eye on was from the opposing team.
Prior the Blue Eagles’ match-up with University of Santo Tomas (UST) last Thursday, the multi-titled mentor singled out Aljon Mariano as the player they should watch out for.
Mariano made sure he didn’t disappoint.
The sophomore forward made a prophet out of Black as he led the Growling Tigers to a thrilling one-point win against the four-time defending champions. He scattered a career-high 21 points, including 13 in the third quarter, where he spearheaded the team’s comeback surge from a seemingly insurmountable 19-point hellhole. It was UST’s first win versus Ateneo after 12 straight losses.
“Pinaalala ko sa mga kakampi ko nung halftime ‘yung drought.’Di kami nawalan ng puso kahit malaki lamang. (I reminded my teammates about the drought at halftime. We never lost our heart even though we were down big), said Mariano. “Masarap talunin ang Ateneo kasi malakas sila (It’s great to beat Ateneo since they’re a strong team).
Junior career
Before joining the Growling Tigers’ lair, Mariano starred for San Beda High School, the enduring factory of talented junior players. He had a successful stint with the Red Cubs, even getting picked for the 2009 RP Youth Training Pool under Eric Altamirano.
He was recruited by almost every single UAAP school but chose UST in the end, feeling he had better opportunities in España. He was also sold on its mentor, Pido Jarencio, an in-your-face motivator and fearless competitor. Mariano recalled what the fiery coach said to him back in 2010.
“Sinabi ni coach na puwede raw akong maging next (Dylan) Ababou. Nasa sa akin na lang daw kung paano ko ‘yun gagawin (Coach said that I can be the next Dylan Ababou. It’s just up to me how to achieve that),” shared Mariano.
Early setback
After a promising rookie year, however, when he averaged 7.7 PPG in 19.4 MPG, Mariano suffered a tough break. UST was playing against a commercial team in an exhibition game in March 2011 when he chased down a player for a block attempt. They both fell terribly and the athletic forward fractured his right ankle.
For six months, the Mandaluyong-born Mariano was prohibited from playing basketball. For a guy who loves to play the game, that’s sheer torture. Plus, there’s the lingering feeling if he’ll be able to return to his old form.
“It was really frustrating. I wasn’t able to help my team during games and I was really worried about my return,” said Mariano.
But au contraire, his injury made him better than ever. During his rehabilitation, he focused on improving his strength and building his body. He lifted weights daily and did plyometrics, a workout for faster and more powerful movements. Now, he sports toned abs, chiseled biceps, and a wider upper body, a noticeable change from his once lean frame. Like a diligent student of the game, he also watched games as much as possible to scout his opponents.
“Nagsikap talaga ko sa rehab ko, nagpalaki talaga ko ng katawan. Ngayon, mas nagagawa ko na ‘yung gusto ko (I really worked hard during my rehab and improved my body. Now, I can do what I want on the court),” said Mariano, who idolizes LeBron James and Cyrus Baguio.
He finally joined the Growling Tigers’ practice last November and slowly got back into the groove. To aid his recovery, he also played for RNW Pacific Pipes under Jarencio in the PBA D-League, putting up 3.8 PPG and 4.3 RPG.
But ultimately, it was his team and parents who helped him in his recuperation.
“My family was really my inspiration in my comeback. They were always there when I was down,” said Mariano. “My teammates encouraged me all the time as well. They visited me in the hospital.”
“He’s really improved a lot. He felt down when he was injured but he stayed positive,” said team captain Jeric Fortuna.
Breakout year
Mariano looked awkward inside the press room after UST’s morale-boosting win. His head was bowed. He was fidgeting and fiddling with something under the table. It was his first time, but it’s safe to assume it won’t be his last, especially since he still has three years left.
“I really expect him (Mariano) to explode this season. All he needs is consistency and he’ll do well,” said Jarencio.
His off-court demeanor is a complete 180-degree turn from his on-court hubris. When UST was mounting its comeback, with Mariano at the forefront, he was yelling, pounding his chest, and egging on the crowd.
He was clearly happy to be back on the court. Beating the Blue Eagles was one hell of a coming out party for the 19-year-old swingman, and to think one year ago, he was wondering if he’ll make a successful return.
“Hinintay ko talaga ‘to (I really waited for this). I was out for one year. Now, I’ll make sure I make the most out of it,” said Mariano.
Remember the name: Aljon Mariano. He’ll be a fixture in the UAAP in the years to come.
By Paolo S. Mariano
http://uaapsports.studio23.tv/sports...r.html?ref=128
Kaya naman pala magaling si ALJON, SAN BEDA RED CUB ang background. Swerte ng USTe sa atin siya lumipat.
^
I agree. Mahusay talaga ang dev program ng San Beda Red Cubs. I read somewhere that 20 players from the RC are now playing in the UAAP and NCAA. I hope mag improve din ang dev program ng Tiger Cubs para mas madaming homegrown talent ang UST. Sa current roster ng Seniors team, dalawa lang ang galing sa UST Tiger Cubs: Ferrer and Javier. Although problema din kung masulot ng ibang schools. Good thing Ferrer chose his alma mater.
On Mariano: I like the fact that he can be an outside and inside threat. Versatile player indeed. Sana lang maging consistent. I think he's going to be guarded well in the following games. I do hope he knows how to pass the ball when the defense clamps down on him. He only made 2 assists last game (ave. 3 apg as of this writing).
What's even more exciting about this guy is that he still have a lot of years left to play. Pwede pa madevelop.
GO PAPA ALJON. \/
The next-Dylan-Ababou!! More "W"s please!
Though, I'm not satisfied with the win against Ateneo. The 1-point deficit could've been bigger if Abdul didn't celebrate early with the crowd.
Anyway, goodluck against NU and DLSU. A must-win games!
Viva La Liga El Tomasino!
Viva Santo Tomas!
GO USTe!
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