Briones breaks through at right time for league-leading Maroons
MANILA, Philippines – A new name emerged from the pack of the UP Fighting Maroons as they seek a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four of UAAP Season 86, as Chico Briones flexed his skills against the UST Growling Tigers.
Getting extended minutes from head coach Goldwin Monteverde in UP’s penultimate elimination game, Briones made the most of his time on the court.
In almost 14 minutes of play, Briones was an efficient 6-of-8 shooting to finish with 14 points, four rebounds and one steal. He ended up a +17 in the +/- column.
Now at the tail-end of their bid for a return to the UAAP summit, Briones gets a timely boost of confidence to contribute more to his team.
“It's very big (confidence boost), you know. Showing out over there and getting my confidence up, it's a key factor for the upcoming games,” Briones said after the game.
“Coach always says that it's up to us not to lose that confidence. It's not up to somebody, it's up to you. And I always have that confidence and having this game today, it kinda given me that boost," he added.
Though having some bright spurts here and there in UP’s first 12 games, Briones only really played significant minutes against the Growling Tigers.
But for each and every game, the first-year player says that he remained locked in and ready whenever the coach might call on him.
As the games only grow harder for the championship-seeking Maroons, Briones is keen on keeping his head down and contributing whenever he can.
“The mindset that I always bring to the game is having that readiness 'cause you don't really know when you're gonna go out and play, you know,” said Briones.
“Having that mindset, having that readiness mindset, I always gotta have that and to play in this team I always have to have that even if you have those big moments."
Briones will look to make his presence felt anew on Sunday, November 19, when UP faces NU in the final game of eliminations at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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