PBA: Gian Mamuyac primed to be Rain or Shine’s next big star

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Gian Mamuyac during a PBA Philippine Cup game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—It’s never easy to fill the shoes of a one-of-a-kind talent.

Derrick Rose felt it in Chicago when he was projected to be the next Michael Jordan. Sure, he was MVP in his third year in the NBA with the Bulls but the expectations got a bit too heavy, damaging his knees in the process.

Andrew Wiggins was groomed to be the next LeBron James when he was drafted by Cleveland in 2014 but before he could even prove to be worthy of the comparison, he got shipped to Minnesota two months later.

PBA young gun Gian Mamuyac has to be feeling the same thing Rose and Wiggins felt, now that he’s an upcoming star for Rain or Shine. In his situation, he has to carry the pressure and weight of being the next great Elasto Painter after Paul Lee.

READ: PBA: Known for his defense, Gian Mamuyac shows offensive game for Rain or Shine

And just how heavy is Lee’s crown?

Mamuyac is just in his second go-around with coach Yeng Guiao and has quite the trajectory to watch. In just his sophomore season in the league, the Ateneo product has been flashing glimpses of his talents that helped the Blue Eagles soar to heights.

A young two-way guard in a Rain or Shine kit with a certain aura to him with every bucket? Any PBA faithful would be whipped back to 2011 just seeing that scene.

Ask anyone. What do you think of when you see a young, talented swingman on the rise, who follows Guiao’s orders with a straight demeanor? Oh, and also wears a jersey with the number three?

The answer would almost unanimously be one name. Paul Lee.

Ever since Mamuyac donned an Elasto Painter jersey, the comparisons came up as quickly as the speed of light.

But those comparisons rang even louder not too long ago in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

Parallels with Paul Lee

Paul Lee during his time with the Rain or Shine Elasto painters. –PBA IMAGES

June 7, 2012. Rain or Shine was on a hot streak in the Governors’ Cup, winning three straight games to start the conference behind the broad shoulders of import Jamelle Cornley and the heroics of rising guard Lee.

But the Elasto Painters’ unblemished run looked to be in danger with Barangay Ginebra–which had import Cedric Bozeman and the fast and furious tandem of Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa–in their path.

With the score tied at 90-all, Cornley, who already had 27 big points, was waved off by a young Lee for what would turn out to be the game-winning bucket.

With the long-stretched arms of Rudy Hatfield guarding him in the perimeter as he called for an isolation play, Lee swung left to right and jumped for a three-ball, sinking the dagger in the heart of the Gin Kings, 93-90.

After his hard-earned triple, he paraded his Rain or Shine jersey, as if to say “this is my team, this is who I represent,” and fans rejoiced on the cinematic scene; a young hero taking down a juggernaut and representing his side strongly in the process.

May 15, 2024. Mamuyac gave Rain or Shine a hit of sweet, sweet nostalgia.

In the quarters of the 2024’s all-Filipino conference, the Elasto Painters and TNT saw themselves in a stalemate at one win a piece in the best-of-seven series.

With a semifinal seat on the line in Game 3, Rain or Shine led TNT, 103-100, in the dying minutes of the game.

READ: PBA: Rain or Shine ousts TNT to set up semis duel vs San Miguel

In need of a shot to keep coach Chot Reyes’ men at bay, floor general Andrei Caracut called upon Mamuyac who was hounded by Glenn Khobuntin on defense.

Khobuntin was the assigned detonator of Mamuyac’s explosive offense and any sports analyst or avid basketball viewer immediately saw the mismatch.

Mamuyac, who had his fair share of missing even the closest shots, was guarded by a primetime defender who was already well-renowned for his defense even during his college days at National University. One outcome was highly possible. Mamuyac was getting blocked.

Until he wasn’t. The three-time UAAP champion dribbled from let to right and hit a big-time triple in the right wing to give the Elasto Painters a pivotal six-point lead and ultimately the coveted semis seat.

And as if that wasn’t enough of a flashback, after Mamuyac sank his clutch bucket, he raised his banner by boasting his jersey much like Lee did 12 years ago.

Also like Lee, he sent a message to the crowd inside the Ninoy Aquino Stadium; “this is my team, this is who I represent.”

Pressure to deliver

No. 5 overall pick in the PBA Draft Gian Mamuyac. PBA IMAGES

“Of course, it’s a huge honor to especially be mentioned in the same sentence as kuya Paul,” said Mamuyac as he walked out of Mall of Asia Arena after receiving the eliminating boot from San Miguel after four games in the Philippine Cup semis.

Exhausted as he was, even after dropping 30 points to no avail in Game 4, he didn’t fail to acknowledge his predecessor in the Rain or Shine camp.

“We all know just how legendary kuya Paul is for the league and hopefully I continue to live up to the comparison.”

READ: PBA: Rain or Shine signs Gian Mamuyac, Shaun Ildefonso

By the time Lee was in Mamuyac’s shoes as a sophomore for Rain or Shine, he had already given the Elasto Painters a heavy trophy in the form of thePBA  Governors’ Cup.

Mamuyac, however, was dead-stopped in his tracks when he was met with coach Jorge Gallent’s invincible crew that boasted a generational talent in June Mar Fajardo with Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, Jericho Cruz and Don Trollano to name a few, as his supporting cast.

But even though the comparisons reached a silent usher on his way out of title contention, Mamuyac understands that the similarity talks will be present. Despite that, expect the two-way gunner to stay in his own lane to build his own name even under heavy pressure and skyscraper-like expectations.

“There’s huge pressure, of course but hopefully I get to live up to it. I hope to have a long career and in that long career have a good outcome as a player. Hopefully, I continue to improve and live up to the expectations.

Humility above all

Rain or Shine Elastopainters Gian Mamuyac during a PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals game against TNT Tropangg Giga. –PBA IMAGES

Despite already having flown to great heights as a Blue Eagle and making a name for himself in the big league, there’s one value that “Mamu” brought to the bright lights that he carried with him during his time in Ateneo.

Humility.

Mamuyac knows the reality of the game of basketball. On any given night, anyone can have the spotlight, no player is perfect, anyone can have bad nights, a player can’t always have highlights, and anyone can shine,

Instead of saying he’s on his way to stardom or predicting a bold future for his career, the 25-year-old swingman called it down the middle. Anyone could’ve been the talking point in Rain or Shine.

Mamuyac, as he says, just got lucky.

Gian Mamuyac after the Rain or Shine loss. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/5OmQxU3HPw

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 24, 2024

“Maybe I’m just given opportunities and I just got lucky. It just so happens that it was given to me but on any given night, it would’ve been possible that other people would have the spotlight. Maybe I’m just lucky that I was given that opportunity. I was able to make the most out of it.”

That’s not what Gallent and consensus PBA GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) Fajardo believes, though.

Mamuyac showed up way too much in his bouts with San Miguel that he became an undeniable force—even to the eye of the league’s best team. Champion mentality recognizes champion mentality after all.

“Wow,” said Gallent when he was notified about Mamuyac’s 30-piece in Rain or Shine’s last game of the conference.

“Mamuyac has been playing well not just in this series but also in the elims where, I think, he hit a career-high on us. It’s just his growth. They’re really well-coached by coach Yeng, he’s giving him good advice. He’s under good leadership.”

Fajardo, who’s seen the best of them come and go in his legendary 12-year career in the PBA and counting, spared no praises for the uprising guard.

“He doesn’t play like a sophomore or a rookie,” said a fatigued Fajardo after lifting San Miguel back to the PBA Finals with 17 points and 23 rebounds.

“He’s like a veteran in his team. In almost every game, he’s the leading scorer. He’s one of the consistent guys in that team. In the near future, he’s going to be one of the franchise players for Rain or Shine,” added the seven-time league MVP.

Rain or Shine will have three months to regroup. There’d also be the draft which could change the landscape of the Elasto Painters.

A lot of things can change in the league but one thing’s for sure; Mamuyac will be a centerpiece to watch in the developing young core of Rain or Shine.