‘Glue guy’ Alolino pulls through when Tanduay needed it most

Knowing there’s no more tomorrow for Tanduay, Gelo Alolino carried the Rhum Masters to an 88-86 thriller to stay alive in the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup semifinals on Thursday.

The former NU playmaker unleashed 26 points, four rebounds, and four assists as the Rhum Masters forced a do-or-die against the top-seed Tile Masters.

“Sabi ko kanina, ibibigay ko lang best ko kasi do-or-die na ito,” he said. “Yung kabila may chance pa pero kami, wala na so gusto namin lahat manalo. Sila coach, hindi naman kami pinapabayaan at nire-remind kami to do a collective team effort.”

Alolino is thankful for the trust coach Lawrence Chongson has given him, allowing him to lead the team as he emerged as one of the best playmakers in the league today.

“Simula naman nung kinuha nya ako, although may veterans at ex-pros kami, as much as possible, accountable ako as one of the leaders. Nakakatuwa yung mga veterans dahil sumusuporta sila sa bawat isa, at ibabalik mo rin sa kanila yung tiwala,” he said.

And Chongson is just delighted with the way Alolino has carried himself through the conference.

“Sya yung glue ng team na ito,” he said. “Kung pwede lang na hanggang maubos ang playing years nya, sa amin na lang sya maglaro eh. Yung tiwala ko sa kanya, talagang nandoon and he didn’t fail me today.”

Alolino, though, defrayed the credit and put the spotlight on Chongson: “Credit naman sa mga coaches yung game na ito kasi sila din naman ang nag-prepare ng best game plan. Nag-follow lang kami sa kanila.”

The win allowed Tanduay to continue dreaming as it will shoot for its first-ever Finals appearance in Tuesday’s do-or-die game.

“Right now, masaya kami. Pero alam namin ang capability ng Racal. Hindi naman sila magiging number one team ng wala lang eh,” he said. “Basta ako, I control what I can control. Gusto ko lang matulungan yung franchise ng Tanduay na makapasok sa Finals dahil yun ang ultimate goal namin.”

“We just expect na kung sino ang mas lalaban ng hard, yun ang mas may gusto makapasok sa Finals.”