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Verano's turn to shine for Ateneo
Verano's turn to shine for Ateneo
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Oct 23, 2016 10:42 PM PHT
MANILA, Philippines – After Jolo Mendoza registered his career game against University of the East last week, it was Raffy Verano's turn to seize the spotlight on Sunday as he played the best game of his young career against the National University (NU) Bulldogs.
MANILA, Philippines – After Jolo Mendoza registered his career game against University of the East last week, it was Raffy Verano's turn to seize the spotlight on Sunday as he played the best game of his young career against the National University (NU) Bulldogs.
The rookie Mendoza torched the Red Warriors for 15 points in their 75-61 win last Wednesday, but was limited to two points against NU. The Blue Eagles still won comfortably, 65-50, thanks to Verano's exploits.
The rookie Mendoza torched the Red Warriors for 15 points in their 75-61 win last Wednesday, but was limited to two points against NU. The Blue Eagles still won comfortably, 65-50, thanks to Verano's exploits.
The 18-year-old swingman from California scored 20 points against NU, 11 of which came in the crucial second period that turned a slim 11-8 Ateneo lead into an unassailable 34-18 advantage. He made eight of his 13 shots, while adding two rebounds and two steals to his stat line.
The 18-year-old swingman from California scored 20 points against NU, 11 of which came in the crucial second period that turned a slim 11-8 Ateneo lead into an unassailable 34-18 advantage. He made eight of his 13 shots, while adding two rebounds and two steals to his stat line.
"The UAAP is very different," Verano said after the game. "It took me a while to adjust, but I think I'm slowly getting used to the pace of the UAAP."
"The UAAP is very different," Verano said after the game. "It took me a while to adjust, but I think I'm slowly getting used to the pace of the UAAP."
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At 6-foot-3, Verano is more used to playing the guard positions but had to shift to the frontcourt when he moved to the Philippines. He won't deny that the transition was difficult, and it took him a while before he became a regular contributor for the Blue Eagles.
At 6-foot-3, Verano is more used to playing the guard positions but had to shift to the frontcourt when he moved to the Philippines. He won't deny that the transition was difficult, and it took him a while before he became a regular contributor for the Blue Eagles.
"Coming down here, playing the three and the four, it's starting to get more comfortable," he said. "It was a tough transition, but I'm getting used to it."
"Coming down here, playing the three and the four, it's starting to get more comfortable," he said. "It was a tough transition, but I'm getting used to it."
"I'm slowly getting my confidence," he added, "So if they need me to (score), I'll try to step in."
"I'm slowly getting my confidence," he added, "So if they need me to (score), I'll try to step in."
Verano's career game helped push Ateneo to a 6-4 record that tightened their grip on solo third, and he drew praise from his coaches for stepping up when his team needed it.
Verano's career game helped push Ateneo to a 6-4 record that tightened their grip on solo third, and he drew praise from his coaches for stepping up when his team needed it.
"I think we've seen glimpses of Raffy in some of the other games. He's a sparkplug for us off the bench," Ateneo coach Sandy Arespacochaga noted. "He plays well defensively, but he proved today that he can also score."
"I think we've seen glimpses of Raffy in some of the other games. He's a sparkplug for us off the bench," Ateneo coach Sandy Arespacochaga noted. "He plays well defensively, but he proved today that he can also score."
For head coach Tab Baldwin, more impressive than Verano's point production was his effort in other areas of the game.
For head coach Tab Baldwin, more impressive than Verano's point production was his effort in other areas of the game.
"Raffy played well today, but he rebounded well, he played good defense, and that's more important to me," he explained. "The points will come."
"Raffy played well today, but he rebounded well, he played good defense, and that's more important to me," he explained. "The points will come."
More than anything, Verano's unexpected game is one more display of Ateneo's unpredictability in Season 79. Several players have stepped up for the Blue Eagles in their victories, from Aaron Black to Thirdy Ravena to Mendoza and now, to Verano.
More than anything, Verano's unexpected game is one more display of Ateneo's unpredictability in Season 79. Several players have stepped up for the Blue Eagles in their victories, from Aaron Black to Thirdy Ravena to Mendoza and now, to Verano.
"We don't care about individually, who does what," said Baldwin. "We just care about, if we as a team create good shots. I thought Raffy took good shots today, and I think the team as a whole took good shots."
"We don't care about individually, who does what," said Baldwin. "We just care about, if we as a team create good shots. I thought Raffy took good shots today, and I think the team as a whole took good shots."
"Hopefully, we have more players who will step up," added Arespacochaga. "Last game it was Jolo. This game it was Raffy. Next game, we don't know who will step up for us."
"Hopefully, we have more players who will step up," added Arespacochaga. "Last game it was Jolo. This game it was Raffy. Next game, we don't know who will step up for us."
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
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