NLEX rookie Kyles Lao is glad to have made quite an impression in his PBA debut Friday evening against Phoenix in the PBA Philippine Cup action.
Activated for the first time after Kevin Alas was ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL teary on the same his right knee he injured last season, Lao made the most of the 16 minutes he played as collected eight points and dished six assists.
"I played well, yes, masaya naman ako sa performance. Nagulat ako -- ang tagal ko ng hindi nakakakuha ng ganitong minutes maski nung college ako," said the rookie out of UP-Diliman.
"I'm happy with that. I'm super thankful to coach Yeng [Guiao] lalo na sa trust na binigay niya sa'kin," Lao added.
The former UAAP Rookie of the Year said it would've have been nice if his debut ended with win. The Road Warriors absorbed a stinging 83-82 loss against the Fuel Masters that snapped their two-game winning streak and dropped them to 2-4.
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"I would've loved it if yung debut game ko ended up with a win. Basketball's a team game naman. Although we play as individuals, the end-result will always be team first," said Lao.
Lao said he looks to build on his first PBA game and get accustomed to the league's style of play.
"Kaya naman e, kaso yung endurance, kung tatagal ka ba. I mean nung una kaya ko pa pero as the game went by yung bungguan, yung physicality, it takes a toll on you," he bared.
"Marami pang bigas na kakainin." (JB)
