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Given a chance to return to UST this upcoming UAAP Season 79, Louie Vigil wants to make the most of the opportunity by building his confidence with Tanduay in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup.
Vigil played his best game to date with Tanduay, finishing with 14 points and nine rebounds in the team’s fifth victory in seven outings.
“Nakaka-adjust na ako sa team,” Vigil said, minutes after the Rhum Masters secured the 84-81 win over Topstar ZC Mindanao on Thursday. “Late addition ako dito so kinakapa ko pa yung mga teammates ko. Pero eventually naman, naka-adjust na ako at alam ko na kung paano lumaro ang mga kasama ko.”
The 25-year-old guard, who was initially ineligible for the coming season before the UAAP decided to stick to its original age limit, is hoping that he could carry over the momentum to the UAAP as he takes on the leadership role with the Growling Tigers.
“Gusto ko lang dalhin yung confidence ko dito to UAAP,” he said. “Alam ko naman na sa UST, isa ako sa mga inaasahan. Ang akin lang, di ko hahayaang bumaba ulit yung confidence ko. Sana magtuloy-tuloy na at tumaas pa yung confidence ko.”
Vigil reported back to the Growling Tigers’ training sessions Wednesday last week and joined team practices under new head coach Boy Sablan last Monday.
Though he is splitting his time between UST and Tanduay, the 6-foot-3 shooter is hoping to find the best compromise to help both teams achieve their respective goals. The Rhum Masters are still in search for that elusive PBA D-League title, while the Growling Tigers are now preparing for the UAAP season in September.
“Naguusap pa both ang UST and Tanduay. Ang hirap din naman iwan agad ang Tanduay kasi sila ang nandoon nung nawala ako sa UST. Parang disrespect naman pag iniwan ko sila agad,” he said.
Vigil made it clear, though, that he is raring to don the UST colors as he eyes to end his collegiate career with an impactful finish.
“Nag-usap na kami ni coach Boy at sya lang yung first coach na nakausap ko na walang paligoy-ligoy,” he said. “Ang sabi nya sa akin, ‘Nandito ako para mag-champion. Ikaw ba?’ Pinitik agad ako eh. Unang kita pa lang namin, ganun agad sya na straight to the point.”
And Vigil is confident that Tigers can defy the odds and shock the league like they did last season with a surprising Finals appearance before falling to eventual champion FEU.
“Alam naman namin ng mga teammates ko yung roles na gagampanan namin,” he said. “May tiwala ako sa team namin at confident naman ako sa itatakbo namin this season.”