Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
ANTIPOLO—Don’t get Mark Dyke angry.
De La Salle’s versatile forward said he was the target of University of Santo Tomas’ verbal taunts that were, allegedly, borderline racist during the Green Archers’ 110-69 win in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament.
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Dyke, who hails from Pampanga, put up season-high 16 points with six rebounds and a block in response to UST’s taunts at him.
“They were saying kind of racist comments and they were also very physical during the game,” said Dyke in Filipino. “Well my mindset was just be aggressive and show it in the game with how I play.”
“Ever since high school I was subjected to those kinds of taunts so I know what I will do to them.”
Dyke’s performance was a breakout one for him especially after he received little playing time in Season 79, his first playing year with the Green Archers where he played just four minutes a game and scored a total of 11 points for seven games.
And part of that spark are head coach Louie Gonzalez and captain Kib Montalbo.
“Coach Louie gave me new life when he told me that I will play basketball again,” said Dyke, who wasn’t part of La Salle’s Season 80 roster. “He always tells me that whatever happens I won’t stop with what I’m doing because he felt that I still have things to learn.”
Montalbo, for his part, said the verbal jabs Dyke received against the Growling Tigers were nothing new.
La Salle’s captain added that Dyke just has to be more confident in his game.
“Actually, Dyke used to those things and I told him to just focus because even I will talk trash against my opponent if I’m desperate,” said Montalbo. “It’s just basketball, it’s a physical game, and only the toughest will survive.”