Rookie of the Year Melecio willingly takes on more responsibility for La Salle
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Rookie of the Year Melecio willingly takes on more responsibility for La Salle
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Sep 11, 2017 12:15 AM PHT

MANILA, Philippines – After winning Rookie of the Year honors in UAAP Season 79, De La Salle University guard Aljun Melecio is only too willing to take on a bigger role for the Green Archers this year.
MANILA, Philippines – After winning Rookie of the Year honors in UAAP Season 79, De La Salle University guard Aljun Melecio is only too willing to take on a bigger role for the Green Archers this year.
On Sunday, he showed that he was ready for that responsibility by leading the undermanned Green Archers to an impressive 95-90 victory over Far Eastern University (FEU) in their first game of the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament.
On Sunday, he showed that he was ready for that responsibility by leading the undermanned Green Archers to an impressive 95-90 victory over Far Eastern University (FEU) in their first game of the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament.
He had his best scoring game of his collegiate career, netting 29 points on 9-of-22 shooting. Melecio had 20 points in the first half alone as La Salle built a huge lead, then knocked down four clutch free throws down the stretch to help the Green Archers preserve the win.
He had his best scoring game of his collegiate career, netting 29 points on 9-of-22 shooting. Melecio had 20 points in the first half alone as La Salle built a huge lead, then knocked down four clutch free throws down the stretch to help the Green Archers preserve the win.
"Siguro, compared to last year, mas malaki na talaga ang responsibility ko," said Melecio, whose high-scoring exploits in La Salle-Zobel led him to win Juniors MVP honors in UAAP Season 78.
"Siguro, compared to last year, mas malaki na talaga ang responsibility ko," said Melecio, whose high-scoring exploits in La Salle-Zobel led him to win Juniors MVP honors in UAAP Season 78.
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"Starting point guard na ako sa team, so gusto ko lang ma-lead 'yung team," he added.
"Starting point guard na ako sa team, so gusto ko lang ma-lead 'yung team," he added.
Melecio's 29-point outburst was much needed by the Green Archers, who were playing without reigning Most Valuable Player Ben Mbala on Sunday. But with their diminutive guard firing from all angles, La Salle built a lead big enough to withstand the Tamaraws' final rally.
Melecio's 29-point outburst was much needed by the Green Archers, who were playing without reigning Most Valuable Player Ben Mbala on Sunday. But with their diminutive guard firing from all angles, La Salle built a lead big enough to withstand the Tamaraws' final rally.
"Good start lang siguro, and 'yung game plan namin, na-follow namin," said Melecio of their win.
"Good start lang siguro, and 'yung game plan namin, na-follow namin," said Melecio of their win.
Perhaps the lone blemish in Melecio's stat line is that he only had two assists, quite a low number for a starting point guard. However, he insists that he is not too concerned about it.
Perhaps the lone blemish in Melecio's stat line is that he only had two assists, quite a low number for a starting point guard. However, he insists that he is not too concerned about it.
"'Di ko naman tinitingnan 'yung stats," he said. "Nilalaro ko lang kung ano ang laro ko. Kasi, kung inisip ko 'yun lalo, mawawala 'yung diskarte ko talaga as a player."
"'Di ko naman tinitingnan 'yung stats," he said. "Nilalaro ko lang kung ano ang laro ko. Kasi, kung inisip ko 'yun lalo, mawawala 'yung diskarte ko talaga as a player."
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
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