Guadaña proves worth, leads Batang Gilas win over Indonesia

Mclaude Guadaña. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson/ INQUIRER.net

Plucked from a developing junior’s basketball program in Lyceum-Cavite, Mclaude Guadaña admits that his selection to the Batang Gilas roster surprised him.

But on Monday, the 5-foot-10 swingman showed his worth, tallying a triple-double in the Philippines’ 96-73 win over Indonesia in the 2017 Seaba Under-16 Championship.

READ: Guadaña has triple-double, Batang Gilas routs Indonesia

Guadaña scattered 19 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds to anchor Batang Gilas to its second straight win.

But more than his amazing statline, the 16-year-old is just relishing his chance play for the national team.

“I didn’t expect the triple-double, really. Actually, I’m just thankful for the Lord for the talent he gave me,” he said.

Guadaña said everything is coming in fast for him, and he’s just grateful for all of the breaks he’s getting in his young basketball career.

“Again, I’m just thankful that I was selected in this under-16 team. Of all the high school teams, they picked someone from Lyceum which is just starting,” he said. “But I know that we’ll eventually compete with the top teams. All we got to do is to continue working hard.”

Though the stalwart’s performance garnered the spotlight, coach Mike Oliver expressed disappointment over what he felt were letups in the second half that saw Batang Gilas’ 36-point advantage sliced to as low as 20.

Guadaña said  the team heard their mentor’s message loud and clear.

“The teams we are facing are relying on their speed. They are using their speed to counter our size. Maybe it’s a wake-up call for us in the coming games to never relax and continue playing our game,” he said.

Batang Gilas will take a one-day break before facing Thailand on Wednesday.