La Salle’s Dyke rejuvenated as he returns to action

Mark Dyke began his collegiate career in the UAAP as one of the highly touted big men of his batch coming out of Nazareth School of National University.

Having earned a couple of Mythical Team selections, Dyke, who was already enrolled at NU, made the jump to La Salle to join a talented crop that included Andrei Caracut and Jolo Go.

That transfer, however, proved to be the start of Dyke’s limbo as he served a one-year residency while Caracut, who won the 2016 Rookie of the Year plum, and Go were able to contribute for the Green Archers.

Dyke, who skipped the last season, said he lost confidence in himself after he was stuck in a state of nothingness.

And it took almost two years before the 6-foot-3 forward smiled inside a basketball court.

“I feel happy right now because I never thought that I would be in this situation once again. High school is different from college and there was a transition for me,” said Dyke in Filipino after leading La Salle to a 71-62 win over University of the East in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup Friday at The Arena in San Juan.

“I actually lost confidence in myself after what happened.”

Dyke finished the game with 18 points, a team-high for the Green Archers, and nine rebounds in a game that he said was a proving ground for his return.

Under head coach Louie Gonzalez, Dyke said he wants to show that he is still capable of producing numbers no matter how much playing time he’s given.

“Coach just gave me an opportunity even for a few minutes and in that time I will give my best,” said Dyke who played for 17 points against the Red Warriors. “If he decides to put me in, I will do my best.”