Before realizing his dream of playing collegiate basketball, rookie forward Dominic Dayrit had to undergo a tough and unwinding road.
A product of the National University-Nazareth program under now UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde, Dayrit tried out for Emilio Aguinaldo College and eventually got accepted into the team.
However, lady luck would not be in his favor as he suffered a dislocated ankle before the start of NCAA Season 95, consequently removing him from the EAC lineup.
After letting his injury heal over the pandemic, the now 22-year-old found himself transferring to Arellano University, however, only as a student.
The stars would eventually align for Dayrit as Chico Manabat would be appointed as the new head coach of the Chiefs.
Coincidentally, this would not be the first time Dayrit and Manabat crossed paths, as the Chiefs tactician was an assistant coach for the NU Bullpups during Dayrit’s high-school days. After trying out for the Legarda-based squad, Dayrit would eventually get the call from Manabat to finally gain the opportunity to play in the NCAA.
However, it would not be all roses for Dayrit, Manabat, and the rest of the Chiefs squad, as the rebuilding team would start Season 99 with a 0-4 record.
Despite the slow start, Arellano would still have the same enthusiasm when they faced reigning NCAA champions Letran. As a result of this ardor, the Chiefs would overcome the Knights in a tightly contested match, 87-80.
While he only scored five points in the game, Dayrit would hit the biggest shot of his young NCAA career as he hit a dagger corner three to help Arellano see out the game.
According to the Tarlac native, he had the courage to shoot that shot due to his teammates giving him their utmost trust and belief.
“'Yung sa akin d'un, alam ko sa teammates ko na 'pag pinasa nila sa akin, may tiwala sila sa akin. Kita ko libre, kaya hindi na ako nagdalawang isip. Malaki naman 'yung tiwala nila sa akin so tinira ko talaga,” confessed Dayrit.
(I know from my teammates that when they pass the ball to me, they trust me. I saw it was open, that's why I did not hesitate to shoot. They trust me so I shoot my shot.)
With the pressure of finally notching a win now off their shoulders, the Business Marketing major keeps in mind the message of their head coach.
“Lagi lang sinasabi ni Coach Chico sa amin tuwing bago maglaban, magtiwala lang kami sa sistema niya. 'Yung attitude namin, every time na maglalaro kami, laging uhaw kami para makuha 'yung panalo.”
(Coach Chico always tells us before we play to trust his system. Every time we play, our attitude is we should always be hungry to get the win.)
Dayrit and the rest of the Chiefs will look to grab consecutive wins for the first time this year when they face Emilio Aguinaldo College on Friday, October 13.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
