Behind Lyceum of the Philippines University rookie Jonathan Daileg’s endgame explosion is an expected visit from his family in the province should the Pirates make it to the Final Four in NCAA Season 100.
On Tuesday, LPU untangled itself from a two-way tie with Emilio Aguinaldo College, 74-65, to provisionally claim the solo fourth spot behind the late-game efforts of the 21-year-old forward.
Daileg, who poured 11 points in the fourth quarter and grabbed three rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal in only 19 minutes of action, was all the while thinking of reuniting with his family from Nueva Ecija come the semifinal action.
“Pang-motivate sa akin ‘yung sinabi ni Mama na, kasi nakausap ko ‘yung parents ko, sinabi nila na pag nakapasok kami sa semis manonood sila at luluwas para rito,” said Dialeg.
“Sana nga buong family. Dalhin nila ‘yung buong barangay.”
“Noong opening nanood sina Papa pero si Mama hindi sumama. Bago pumunta rito sa game na 'to nasa isip ko ‘yun eh,” he added.
The Pirates hiked their win-loss record to 9-8 and moved a win away from completing the semis cast that already has College of St. Benilde, Mapua University, and San Beda University in first to third places.
Daileg, who was coming off the bench, was a picture of efficiency and dedication after being told by the coaching staff to just keep taking the shots in those desperate moments––and everything fell exactly into place during their pivotal 16-1 blitz midway the payoff period.
“Sinabi lang sa akin ng coaching staff na tira lang nang tira papasok rin ‘yan. Ganun rin ‘yung nangyari sa teammates ko,” he said.
“Sobrang saya. Pero hindi pa natatapos ‘yung [eliminations]. May isa pa kaming game na kailangan namin paghandaan.”
The Pirates, though, are facing a taller task ahead but they will come out with guns blazing on Friday against the top seed Blazers to wrap up their elimination round campaign.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
