Dyke a ready plug for looming Manila hole

Mark Dyke. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Deemed not good enough by his college team early this year, Mark Dyke is carving his niche as an athletic, sweet-shooting forward for Manila-Frontrow in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

And with the Stars set to lose prized forward Aris Dionisio to the pro league after the Chooks to Go MPBL Lakan Season, the stage is set for Dyke to take on a bigger role.

Thrust into the starting lineup in lieu of Dionisio, the former De La Salle player showed glimpses of his improvement, leading the Stars to an 87-70 triumph over Bacolod Master Sardines on Friday night at San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.

The 6-foot-3 Dyke delivered his first double-double in the MPBL, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Stars secured their 20th win in 24 games this season. Manila stayed within striking distance of the San Juan Knights, who lead the North division with a 20-3 record.

But Dyke, who was released by La Salle in April, emerged as the feel-good story of the game as he sparkled for a team littered with veterans like Gabby Espinas, Ronnie Matias and Mac Tallo.

“I was just focused entering the game,” Dyke said in Filipino. INQ