INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines—Veteran point guard Michael Luy is hoping to lead a pack of young upstarts in his final hurrah for the National University Bulldogs.

Luy, a native of Tacloban, Leyte, is the most experienced player in Coach Manny Dandan’s squad, which faces University of the Philippines in their opening match on July 12.

A graduating management student, Luy admitted he feels some pressure, taking it his responsibility to lead and guide his teammates, who are making their collegiate debut.

“It’s my last year and I know I can help coach and my colleagues given my previous experience,” said Luy.

Luy was discovered by Coach Dandan when he was playing ball for Sacred Heart School in Tacloban Leyte, although he had his first formal training under the Basketball Academy School in Cebu.

“I believe Coach (Dandan) recruited me for my skills in defense and passing,” Luy said, adding he still has to improve his shooting and decision-making as a player if he chooses to pursue basketball after college.

As a veteran, he said it is important for the rookies to always take a positive outlook on things and learn from their mistakes.

Luy is hoping to play in the PBL as an amateur and has dreams of turning pro and playing in the PBA. He idolizes San Miguel’s Olsen Racela, incidentally a teammate of NU alumnus Danny Ildefonso.

For now, Luy’s wish is to at least lead NU to a better finish this season.

“I see that I have a responsibility for this team before I leave. I know it’s a tough year but we just need to be positive,” he said.