Raul Soyud often goes unnoticed in an NLEX team that features several high-profile players like Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas.

After all, the former UP Fighting Maroon entered the PBA as an unheralded rookie, falling into the third round of the 2014 PBA Draft.

But NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao believes Soyud deserves more attention now as the big man continues to post respectable numbers in the Philippine Cup for the playoff-seeking Road Warriors.

In 8 games, Soyud averaged 9.9 points on a league-best 71% shooting to go with 6.8 rebounds.

“Hardly anyone notices Raul, but he has been playing really well,” said Guiao in a mix of Filipino and English.

“I think he is one example of a player who was really relegated to the end of the bench, but worked his ass off to get to play the playing time that he gets.”

Soyud played the finest game of his career this conference as he posted a PBA personal-best 27 points in a sorry loss to Phoenix.

He then notched a near-double-double of 9 points and 9 rebounds in a 20-point thrashing of Rain or Shine that propelled NLEX, which improved to a 3-5 record, from the No. 11 to the No. 8 spot in the standings.

“If you ask the players, I’ve been harsh to Raul in practices. I’ve demanded a lot from Raul because I want him to elevate his game,” Guiao said.

“I guess shouting and cursing at Raul have been working because he is playing really well. That is another product of my temper and my mouth – Raul,” the coach added in jest.

Guiao said Raul persevered to be where he is today.

“He has really worked hard for it on his own. He has come a long way and yet we barely notice what he is doing.” – Rappler.com