Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Individual awards are recognitions for one and one person alone.
Yet for Juan Gomez De Liano, the Rookie of the Year for the 80th season of the UAAP, his trophy is not just for him but also for the whole University of the Philippines.
“For sure this trophy will motivate the team, this will improve the intensity in practices, and this will help us do better in practices,” said Gomez De Liaño Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I had a big role coming in and I had to do what I had to do, I’m grateful I got this award. I mean this is just the beginning, not just for me, but for the team as well.”
Gomez De Liaño nabbed the award after finishing the eliminations with averages of 11.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game in helping the fifth-seeded Fighting Maroons take a 6-8 win-loss record.
The rookie, though, is wary that his newfound notoriety would make him a moving target of their opponents.
“I’ll just try to get better every day and improve and be better next season.”