Mamuyac says he’ll ‘make the next one’
His foul proved costly, and his miss late in regulation broke his spirit, but Gian Mamuyac is not one to sulk.
After figuring at the center of Rain or Shine’s collapse in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against Grand Slam-seeking TNT on Friday night, the lanky guard offered no excuses, instead owning up to his gaffes and began looking forward.
“I was just trying to be smart, but it backfired,” the lanky two-way standout told reporters on the heels of the 113-105 loss at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
Mamuyac fouled Calvin Oftana with his club up, 99-97, with about seven ticks remaining in the fourth quarter, allowing the TNT gunner to tie the game.
He had a chance to redeem himself with a wide-open triple from the right wing, but the basketball caught only the front of the rim, paving the way for an extra session where TNT pulled away.
Still, Mamuyac, who finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists, refused to let the fumbled chance define his crew’s effort—and their fight in this high-stakes duel with a juggernaut thus far.
“It felt good,” he said of his last shot, which would’ve likely tied the Final Four series a game a piece. “It just didn’t fall. There will be a next shot. And I’ll make the next one.”
After pointing out what was intended, Mamuyac reached for the truth.
“Again, we’re not yet out (of the series),” he said. “It’s a seven-game series for a reason. It’s first to four. We just have to recover, and hopefully, get that first win.”
