Mark Nonoy earns praise in leading Evan Nelle-less La Salle to first win

MANILA, Philippines – For the entirety of his three-year run so far with the La Salle Green Archers, Mark Nonoy had always been delegated as one of the team’s backup guards.

However, when lead playmaker Evan Nelle was removed from the rotation due to a fever, the former UST spitfire guard was thrust to the starting lineup last Wednesday, October 5, against none other than his former team.

Although Nonoy did not fire off the gaudy scoring numbers that endeared him to the Growling Tigers fanbase from high school up to the UAAP Season 82 seniors finals, he did provide a stabilizing presence with a modest 3-point, 4-assist line, capped with more telling numbers of 4 steals and a game-high +27.

Despite taking a scoring backseat to the likes of Schonny Winston, Michael Phillips, and Kevin Quiambao, Nonoy’s presence did not escape the eye of veteran coach Derick Pumaren, who lauded the young speedster after La Salle’s 83-63 pummeling of UST.

“That’s the beauty of the game. When somebody’s out, somebody steps up. Mark Nonoy filled in Evan’s starting role. Penny [Estacio] also had a good game today as a backup for Nonoy. Really happy and I hope they keep doing that,” said the multi-titled mentor.

Handed yet another come-from-behind loss by Season 84 Final Four tormentor UP, Pumaren drilled into the rest of the Green Archers the importance of execution and defense against UST – assignments which Nonoy aced with his two-way stat line.

“I think we were able to execute our game plan today. We were able to do a good job. The team was able to do a good job on [Nic] Cabañero. He exploded for 33 points the first game, so we were ready for him,” continued Pumaren, whose team held the Tiger star to just 5-of-20 shooting.

“It was really a total team effort. I know that [Schonny] and Earl [Abadam] played defense on him, but the guys were helping, and I’m happy with the way we played defense today.”

With or without Nelle in tow for the Green Archers’ next match, Pumaren hopes for more of the same fundamental soundness from Nonoy and the rest of his players as they face an ever-familiar rival in the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday, October 9, 4 pm, at the Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com