‘Motivated’ Mahinay comes up big for surging UST

Germy Mahinay wasn’t, in any way, a sought-after recruit prior to the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament.

It can be said, that the 6-foot-5 big man tried to find his team when he transferred from Lyceum in the NCAA to University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP.

Fortunately for Mahinay, it seems he has found his footing as the Growling Tigers’ reliable center.

Mahinay broke out against Far Eastern University when he put up a 10-point, eight-rebound performance and helped the Growling Tigers to a 78-70 win.

“Coach Aldin jus gave us players an opportunity,” said Mahinay in Filipino Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena. “I’m just motivated because coach gave us the confidence to perform and I didn’t waste the opportunity he gave me.”

Ayo, whose team improved to 4-4 after its third straight win, said it’s been a delight coaching Mahinay who absorbs everything he says.

“Germy is one of the biggest in our team and he’s also one of the youngest but when you say something to him he will just take it all in,” said Ayo in Filipino. “These kids are young, and they’re like a sponge because they will just absorb what you tell them.”

Mahinay was key to UST’s takeover in the fourth quarter when he scored five of his total in the period alone.

The burly Mahinay scored an and-one play that put UST up nine, 63-54, midway through the fourth and he had a driving layup with 2:26 left that gave the Growling Tigers a 69-60 lead.

“I just did what coach Aldin told me to do and that was to stick to the system,” said Mahinay.