Adamson University’s Ray Allen Torres against University of the Philippines in UAAP Seaosn 88 men’s basketball. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — Just like the NBA player whom he was named after, Ray Allen Torres drained a three-pointer to steer his squad to victory on Wednesday.
READ: Ray Allen Torres hits game-winning trey as Adamson hands UP its second straight loss
The 6-foot guard of Adamson University took matters into his own hands in the endgame, with Torres completing a pull-up trey to stun defending champions University of the Philippines and give his squad their first win in UAAP Season 88.
“Hindi ko na iniisip yun, na isa si Gerry [Abadiano] sa best defenders ng UAAP,” said Torres, who had a tied team-high 10 points in the win. “Binasa ko yung distance niya, medyo kumagat siya sa hesi ko, medyo malayo siya, pinull-up ko na.”
That move was similar to how hoops legend Ray Allen made his mark in his early years in the NBA especially with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Seattle Supersonics, and Torres said that he is indeed inspired by the two-time champion.
“Bata pa lang kasi ako, tuwing nage-extra ako, talagang sa shooting ako,” said Torres, whose dad also idolizes the ex-Boston Celtics and Miami Heat star, thus the name.
“Ini-imagine ko lang yung: ‘3, 2, 1,’ tapos sikat si Ray Allen noon, so thankful ako na nabigyan ako ng tiwala,” added the former UP Integrated School main man.
To pour salt into the wound for the Fighting Maroons, it was with the UP Integrated School that Torres first made his mark in the UAAP. The guard averaged 21.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in Season 82 for State U in the high school ranks.
Adamson University’s Ray Allen Torres against University of the Philippines in UAAP Seaosn 88 men’s basketball. Photo from UAAP Media.However, changes in UP coaching played a factor in him eventually led to him moving to San Marcelino, with Goldwin Monteverde taking the place of Bo Perasol.
Torres emphasized that despite this, there are no hard feelings between him and UP, but he also admits that it gave him added fire today.
"Sanay na ako na kalaban UP, pero yung crowd ng UP na dati kong bahay, extra motivation siguro sa akin,” he said. “Masaya akong naglalaro sa Adamson. Dati doon naman ako, pero extra motivation lang rin.”
But aside from the fanfare that came with taking down his ex-school — a loss that was even the second-straight of the Fighting Maroons — what Torres is keen on is reintroducing himself to the UAAP after spending Seasons 86 and 87 on the sidelines.
“Big factor yun, nasa DNA ko na yun eh,” said the high school super scorer, who fell short of reaching their final roster in the past two years. “Kahit anong mangyari, kahit three years or five years na nakalipas, nasa akin pa rin yun. Kumpyansa pa rin ako kasi alam kong kaya ko.”
He also has no ill feelings towards Racela despite not making the final cut, as he instead is grateful for the opportunity that he earned in Season 88.
“Kilala natin si coach Nash na nagpo-produce ng sobrang galing na guards,” Torres said of the former Far Eastern University champion head coach.
“Nung hindi ako na-line-up, pwede naman ako umalis. Pero, tiwala ako sa program niya kasi alam ko doon ako mag-improve as a player, on and off the court kaya tiwala lang ako sa sistema niya,” he added.
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