MANILA – With the graduation of five veteran players, Negrense Samjosef Belangel has been tipped to take over the leadership role as the Ateneo Blue Eagles aims to extend its dynasty in the UAAP men’s basketball next year.
The Bacolod City native guard has shown a glimpse of than when he scored a career-best 15 points, built on five three point baskets, in Blue Eagles’ 86-79 win over the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 82 finals.
“Siguro mindset ko lang is for my seniors, ‘yun lang talaga, last game na,” Belangel said. “Nire-remind ako lagi galing off the bench na keep the energy. So ayun, mindset ko lang, this was for my seniors kaya ayun, luckily I hit my shots.”
Belangel admitted that filling in the void left by Ilonggo Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III, Joseph Matthew Nieto, Mike Nieto, Isaac Go, and Adrian Wong could be easier said than done, but he is willing to take the task.
“For me I just have to be ready kasi hindi lang naman ako,” said Belangel. “Tinuruan naman ako ni Kuya Matt. Leadership lang talaga tapos ‘yung how to handle certain stuff, especially during practices.”
“Not only me but also kuya Ty(ler Tio). In practices we push each other hard para in game lahat ng ginagawa namin alam na namin. Next, man up kami ni kuya Ty, di ako lang,” he added./PN
