Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
They may have started as rivals in the collegiate league, but coach Boyet Fernandez and guard Pamboy Raymundo seemed to have found the right formula to reap trophies in the amateur leagues.
In their return to the developmental league, the two led Cignal-San Beda to the championship this 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup in the duo’s return in the developmental league.
But if you think there’s a method to their madness, Raymundo can’t quite explain why their partnership has been bearing fruits whenever they wage into war.
“Maybe it’s because I treat him like a father. We already know each other that well that whatever play he wants to run, I think I can translate that on the floor,” he said.
Raymundo averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.2 rebounds this past conference as he served as the elder statesman in the Hawkeyes’ camp, ready to relay Fernandez’ orders to the other four on the floor.
Though the two has been used to winning in the PBA D-League, Raymundo shared that this conquest with Cignal is truly a unique one because of the challenge of leading an untested crew to unchartered territories.
“The feeling is different because we don’t have a Calvin Abueva, we don’t have a Garvo Lanete, and we don’t have a Kevin Alas. We have no stars in this team and we’re all equals here,” he said.
“We felt how hard it is to win the title and that’s what makes this championship more special.”