Among the smallest in the league, Adamson’s Kim Mazo plays with the biggest motivations for the Lady Falcons in UAAP Season 87.
In the game of basketball, height has always been every player’s foundation. The sport has been mostly rewarding to towering players who can easily jump over opponents for rebounds and dunks.
But for Adamson University’s Kim Mazo, who stands at a meek 4’10” according to official UAAP documents, all expectations have been thrown out the window.
Perhaps the smallest player in the UAAP at the moment, Mazo has shown the biggest heart for Ryan Monteclaro’s Lady Falcons. It was obvious for everyone during Adamson’s big upset over the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday afternoon.
In a five-point 77-72 win, Mazo was overwhelmingly efficient. Despite playing only 13 minutes, Mazo was going on an unbelievable +27 on efficiency. She also finished with 11 points and three assists. Even as the smallest woman on the floor, Mazo made her presence felt.
Coming off of the bench, she said that she wanted to pick up the pieces for the Lady Falcons who found themselves trailing at halftime.
“Yes po, [nagulat ako]. Kakakita ko lang po nung stats kanina, sabi nila +27 daw ako, grabe. Di ko po talaga ineexpect,” Mazo said after the game.
“Kasi yung nafi-feel ko po kanina is nakikita ko na frustrated na po lahat. Sobrang down na po nila. Pero 'yung puso po na meron ako, hindi ko alam, sobrang laki po talaga para sa Adamson.”
As she faces the added challenge of being a small player in basketball, Mazo does not have any shortage of role models – from teammate Cris Padilla to head coach Monteclaro.
“Sobrang thankful lang po ako sa mga tinrabaho nila as maliit na player, nakukuha ko po 'yung moves nila, 'yung thoughts nila, 'yung ideas nila, lalong lalo na 'yung motivation na nakukuha nila from others, binibigay din nila sakin.”
Having been doubted since she started in the sport, Mazo plays with a chip on her shoulder. Faced with towering challengers every time, she keeps herself motivated to change the narrative.
Game after game, Mazo wants to be the shorter player to come out on top.
“Mula nung nagstart po ako magbasketball, 'yan na po talaga 'yung criticism sa'kin na maliit daw po ako,” she said.
“Pero simula po noon, 'di ko po alam kung ano nadadala ko. Pero 'yung puso na meron po ako sa basketball, 'yung dedication ko, 'yung araw araw ko iniisip na sa susunod ako naman, ako naman 'yung magse-step up sa isang court. Ako naman 'yung titingalain nila.”
Just as she did personally in her basketball career, Mazo also hopes that the Lady Falcons scale heights they’ve never done before.
At joint second with a 2-1 slate, Mazo can only aim higher for the Adamson cagers.
“Sa naging recent laro namin, kahit kami 'di namin alam kung ano 'yung ginawa namin pero ang alam lang po talaga namin, sama sama po kami,” she said.
Mazo and the Lady Falcons face the undefeated NU Lady Bulldogs next on Wednesday, September 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.