Rhenz Abando doesn't want to settle with just a national team pool invitation.
The NCAA Rookie-MVP from Colegio de San Juan de Letran wants to develop into a more complete player in his bid to make the final Gilas Pilipinas lineup for the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers as well as the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup in July.
According to the 6-foot-2 Abando, Nenad Vucinic, who was reportedly tapped to lead Gilas' campaign as head coach for the third window, has already taught him a lot in a span of nearly five days.
Part of this is for him to improve his game, particularly on defense, as he eyes donning the national colors.
"Ang natutunan ko kay Coach Nenad, lagi niyang sinasabi na hindi pwedeng one-dimensional player ka lang, kailangan maging complete player ka, tapos kailangan mong maging aggressive on both offense and defense," Abando shared during the GMA NCAA All-Star Game on Sunday.
"Para sa akin, sinabihan ako ni coach, okay naman yung offense pero yung sa defense, isa ako sa mga pinakamabagal sa depensa sa team."
Abando was nothing short of phenomenal in his first year with the Knights.
The 24-year-old cager dominated the NCAA Season 97, where he was recognized for multiple individual awards. He also played a huge role in steering Letran to the second of back-to-back titles in a finals series against Mapua University.
Still, Abando said he has a lot to work on as he is set to play in a much bigger stage should he make the cut.
"'Pag nagpapractice kami, isa ako sa pinakamabagal. Dapat praktisin at i-work hard 'yung depensa. 'Yun nga, sinabihan niya ako last practice na dapat maging complete player ka, 'di pwede yung one-sided lang," added Abando.
Abando stressed he really wanted to be included in the team and get the chance to represent the country for the first time in his young basketball career.
"Sobrang gustong gusto ko ito kasi napasama pa lang sa pool, grabe na 'yung kumpyansa mo e, paano pa kaya kung nakapunta ka sa Gilas at ma-represent 'yung bansa natin," he said.
"Sigurado mabo-boost 'yung confidence namin at 'yung kumpyansa namin tataas."
—JMB, GMA News
