Zachary Huang. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Only a few knew about Zachary Huang, but after last Saturday’s game and coming into the biggest game of the season Wednesday, a lot more will be paying attention to the University of Santo Tomas rookie.
Huang introduced himself in the limited yet valuable minutes in Game 2 of the UAAP men’s basketball Finals, where the Growling Tigers forced a winner-take-all game 3.
Huang didn’t have much to show in the stat-sheet apart from a rebound and a steal in eight minutes of play, but that was indicative of the impact he had in helping the Growling Tigers beat the Far Eastern University Tamaraws to extend the championship series.
“Coach gave me the confidence. Before the game, he told me he’ll use me and that I just have to do my role and believe in myself,” Huang said in Filipino.
“My role is to stop the scorers, be a lockdown defender and I think I did my role as soon as I came in.”
UST head coach Bong dela Cruz didn’t wait long before he pulled Huang from the bench early in the first quarter to hound FEU’s Mike Tolomia.
Huang pressured Tolomia from the backcourt and his defense helped in limiting the star guard to seven points on a horrible 0-of-15 from the field. Tolomia did have eight rebounds and six assists but he also committed six turnovers.
Huang only saw action for six games in the elimination round and averaged 2.3 minutes but despite hardly being given playing time, he didn’t let the finals pressure get to him.
“It really feels good to be out there. I’m really thankful for coach. He gives me confidence because he’s the only one who believes in me in the entire UST,” he said.
Huang fouled out with still 55 seconds left in the third quarter and as he was on his way back to the bench, he was rewarded with a compliment.
“[Coach told me] ‘good game.'”
With guys like Kevin Ferrer and Ed Daquioag already marked men, contributions from players like Huang would go a long way in the Tigers’ bid to end a nearly decade long title drought.
Game is at 3 p.m. at Mall of Asian Arena.