Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Alvin Pasaol had just set the record for the most points scored in a single game for the UAAP this century with 49, and he did that not only against defending champion La Salle but also on a bum right ankle.
And although the husky forward laughed and smiled saying he wasn’t aiming to get to that high of a number, Pasaol is confident he can reach 50 in the near future.
READ: Mbala lauds Pasaol for record-setting career game
“Hopefully I can play at a hundred percent on Saturday [against University of Santo Tomas], and maybe even score 50,” said Pasaol in Filipino after losing to La Salle 106-100 Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Pasaol reached 49 points with around a minute remaining in the game and he needed just one more free throw to get to half-century but the ball clanked off and he never got the opportunity to shoot for it again.
“Actually I don’t have any words on my performance, I think I just played my best and did what Manong [head coach Derrick Pumaren] asked me to do to just play my game.”
READ: La Salle sends UE to 0-6, spoils Pasaol’s 49-point explosion
Pasaol may be lost for words on what he just did, but the man who owned the record prior had a lot to say.
National University head coach Jeff Napa was the previous owner of the record when he put up 43 points against Adamson University back in 2002 and he said that Pasaol should strive harder to exceed 50.
“I’m happy for him, but it would’ve been better if they won,” said Napa who led the Bulldogs to a 98-90 win over the Soaring Falcons 15 years ago. “What he just did should serve as a motivation not only for his personal career but for his team also.”
For Pumaren, what he saw in Pasaol was unlike any other.
“Alvin was awesome tonight, he really gave us a show tonight,” said Pumaren. “I was really praying that he’ll get 50 but we’ll take 49.”
“And Alvin is unlike any other player I’ve coached like [Jun] Limpot, Allan [Caidic] in the amateurs. Alvin will look like someone who isn’t listening to anything you’re saying but once they play he knows it.”