Mark Nonoy made the most of his first game for the Terrafirma Dyip against his long-time PBA and Gilas idol, Jayson Castro of the TNT Tropang Giga.
Some fold whenever they meet their hero. Some go speechless. Some end up disappointed.
Mark Nonoy did not experience any of the above.
Instead, Nonoy used the first meeting with his idol Jayson Castro as fuel for a career game in Terrafirma’s 117-108 win over TNT in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Later, he admitted getting inspiration from counterpart and Tropang Giga star Castro, who also earned the FIBA Best Point Guard in Asia nod twice.
Castro has earned his stripes in the pros and in international play with his blitzing play. Hence the monicker, “The Blur.”
“Siguro na-inspire ako kay kuya Jayson. First time namin maglaban eh,” said Nonoy.
“Since [bata] ako napapanood ko na siya eh. Grade school ako, high school isa sya sa PBA player na [naka-inspire sakin].”
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The former La Salle was also on point from the outside, nailing five triples and two four-pointers on his way to career-high 33 points.
He also had four rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
Thanks in large part to his stellar outing, the Dyip ended their mid-season tournament’s campaign with a win after an 11-game futility.
But while torching the Tropang Giga, Nonoy got some precious pieces of advice from the Gilas legend.
“… Nung first half nag congratulate ko sa kanya. May pieces of advice din sya sakin,” he said. “Sabi nya [ayusin] decision making and control your speed.”
Nonoy is certainly not going home disappointed after meeting his idol.