Baguio turns back time in breakout performance for NLEX
NLEX's Cyrus Baguio | PBA Media Bureau File Photo
MANILA, Philippines — How quickly fans forget.
Cyrus Baguio was once a scoring machine in the league. And that edge withered away as Father Time caught up with him.
But with the Road Warriors desperately looking for a win, Baguio took matters into his own hands.
'Skyrus' Baguio though...
— ESPN5 (@Sports5PH) February 3, 2018
Wheeling. Dealing. Spinning. Scoring!
***
For more PBA content, visit https://t.co/ZIJiUnP27x | #PBAonESPN5 pic.twitter.com/gvbYv97vIH
As if channeling his Red Bull Barako and Alaska Aces version of himself, he spearheaded the run that would eventually pave the way for NLEX’s upsetting of crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra on Saturday night.
The 37-year-old cager scored the first 11 points of the Road Warriors in the final period to erase what has been a 14-point lead by the Gin Kings. Halfway through the quarter, his fellow veterans JR Quiñahan and Larry Fonacier took over as their team finally put an end to a dry spell that seemingly coincided with the New Year.
"Tingin ko ito pa lang ata 'yung magandang laro ko simula nung na-trade ako sa NLEX,” Baguio shared. "Pero siguro maganda lang talaga 'yung depensa namin kanina.”
During his prime years with Red Bull and Alaska, Baguio, a three-time PBA champion, normed 13.1 points per game.
"Hindi ko naman magagawa yung mga ginawa ko kanina kung di lang dahil sa mga teammates ko e, maganda yung execution namin kanina. Pero pinakaimportante yung depensa namin, na-stop namin sila,” he continued.
And we need not look for proof to that, as NLEX scored 31 points off turnovers, as opposed to Ginebra’s 12. The Road Warriors dominated the Gin Kings in the steals department, 11-5.
In 25 minutes of action, Baguio scattered 13 markers. He secured six boards and added three dimes and four steals to line.
Featured Players: Cyrus Baguio & JR Quiñahan #ArangkadaNLEX #NLEXRoadWarriors pic.twitter.com/OF4oBrxzvc
— NLEX Road Warriors (@ArangkadaNLEX) February 3, 2018
But ever the role player that he is, he tried to play down the praises and offered that he was just able to mount such a performance with the help of his fellow grizzled cagers.
"Siyempre, nandiyan si JR at Larry, maraming experience yan e. Binigyan kami ng tiwala ni coach kanina, sinuklian lang namin kung ano yung binigay na tiwala ni coach (Yeng Guiao) sa amin,” he said.
"Thankful ako na ginawa ko yung part ko at nakatulong ako sa team. Sana mag-grow pa 'yung team,” Baguio closed.
- Latest
- Trending
