MANILA – After biding his time, rookie Sean Quitevis finally got the chance to suit up for the TNT Tropang 5G at a crucial point in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup.
The former Ateneo Blue Eagle made sure to repay the trust of TNT head coach Chot Reyes by contributing when it mattered the most.
After playing for 12 minutes, Quitevis went scoreless in TNT's 96-93 win over the twice-to-beat NLEX Road Warriors on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
But the rookie made up for it on the defensive end, helping stop NLEX guards Robert Bolick and LJay Gonzales in the do-or-die game.
The effort of Quitevis did not go unnoticed, as Reyes highlighted the importance of his contribution to TNT's victory.
READ: PBA: Bol, TNT fend off top-ranked NLEX to stay alive
"I thought we really got a great lift off the bench because of Sean Quitevis. Because the other guy who was giving us a lot of problems was LJay Gonzales. And also, Sean allowed us to give Roger [Pogoy] some minutes of rest while he takes on [Robert] Bolick," he said during the post-game press conference.
Despite only playing two games for TNT, Reyes took note of how Quitevis is fitting well with the loaded Tropang 5G squad.
"Well, we need a guy to fill the shoes of Jio Jalalon because siya 'yung sa amin na pume-pressure, maliit na makulit. He's the one who can get in the face of the opposing team's ball handlers. Towards the end of the eliminations, when it was clear na Jio won't be ready for the playoffs, then we made that decision," Reyes explained.
A day before TNT's final assignment in the elimination round against Barangay Ginebra, the Tropang 5G activated Quitevis to let him get his feet wet before the playoffs.
In his first game, Quitevis immediately took on the tall task of guarding PBA Season 49 Rookie of the Year RJ Abarrientos.
"We don't have a matchup for guys like that. For Rhon Jhay [Abarrientos], for LJay Gonzalez, very quick and very good players and ball handlers. So that's the role that he plays for us," Reyes said.
Castro lauded Quitevis for his effort and mindset even when he wasn't in the TNT main lineup yet.
"Even sa practice, sobrang ganda nung pina-practice ni Sean. Sobrang deserve niyang ma-lineup talaga. At the same time, 'yun 'yung mga guy na para sa amin, nag-compose ng energy namin," he said.
"Kasi, always 100 percent sobrang positive niya. 'Yung attitude niya, sobrang ganda. So, I think, ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit kami nanalo ngayon because of Sean," Castro added.
DREAM COME TRUE FOR QUITEVIS
After playing two games for the Tropang 5G, Quitevis is over the moon for being given the opportunity that he used to only dream of as a rookie.
"Honestly, I still can't comprehend what's happening, but it's kind of just fight or flight. Every time I'm on the floor, or coach calls my name, I'm just like, let's go. I'm ready," he told reporters.
"I put in a lot of work with Better Basketball and I think this moment is just kind of just another day, another test for me and I'm just ready to put my whole heart on the floor," Quitevis added.
Just like when he was with Ateneo, Quitevis continues to practice the 'next man up' mentality instilled in him by the blue and white.
"I don't believe in the role, I believe in the culture of this team and it's really a next man up type of culture so you know I got guys like Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, Jason Castro, Kelly Williams, I could go on and on," Quitevis shared.
Although Reyes sees him filling in the role of Jalalon, the rookie is focused on contributing in whatever way he can for TNT.
"They're always talking to me in my ear like tell me to be ready, be ready and these guys have taken us so far, the least I can do is you know give them a couple of breathers and maybe a couple of rebounds here and there and set them up for some buckets," he said.
Quitevis admits feeling right at home with TNT, as they also practice at the Blue Eagle Gym and he's still being mentored by Sandy Arespacochaga and Yuri Escueta.
"It's a dream come true really as a rookie. Coming from Ateneo, we trained in the same facility. So I would train in the morning, get my weights in and they would be there. So it's kind of like a graduation from college to the pros. So it's seamless almost," he said.
"Feels like home. Coach Sandy, Coach Yuri. I always tell the story that they're the same guys that cut me when I first started in college. But they're also the same guys that drafted me. So just to pay them back with this opportunity," Quitevis explained.
Quitevis vowed to stay ready until his name is called up again, making sure to reward his coaches for the trust.