MANILA – Doy Dungo of De La Salle University cherishes the opportunity to carry the flag at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Dungo was called up to the Gilas Pilipinas men's 3x3 basketball team for the continental showcase, alongside his teammate Luis Pablo, Koji Buenaflor and Nic Cabañero.
The La Salle guard is looking forward to gaining experience from competing against international players at the Asiad.
READ: Luis Pablo 'excited and motivated' as he balances La Salle, Gilas duties
"Sa amin naman ni Pabs, yung teammate ko, sa amin naman magpapa-boost siya din ng confidence namin heading into the season. Siyempre may makakalaban kaming ibang international players, so pagbalik namin dito yung confidence namin doon namin makukuha," Dungo told reporters after their 89-87 win over the National University Bulldogs at the Araneta Coliseum.
Dungo admitted that it is tough to balance training for the UAAP in 5x5 basketball with Gilas in 3x3 basketball, but their coaches are helping them focus and switch their mindset.
"Siguro sa amin mentally lang... Kasi iba yung rules eh. So focus ka kung anong mga gameplan ng mga coaches. And then pag after naman ng practice naman sa La Salle, sabi ng coaches namin sa 3x3 na," Dungo shared.
"Pinagsasabay lang namin ni Pabs, kasi nga after yung practice naming with La Salle is 4-6, 4-7. Minsan na-lalate kami ng tapos. So pag tapos talaga ng practice namin, diretso kami ng practice namin sa Gilas. Yun lang. Nakakaya naman," he added.
Despite the grueling schedule and back-to-back training, Dungo said they're enjoying the process while cherishing the rare opportunity to represent the country.
"Para sa amin, yun nga pag biyahe namin sinasabi namin ni Pabs nakakapagod din yung ginagawa namin. So sa amin, parang ine-enjoy nalang namin yung ginagawa namin kasi hindi naman lahat ng players nabibigyan ng opportunity to represent the country. Ine-enjoy lang namin," he shared.
Dungo is glad to share the experience with Pablo, as they look to level up their skills and bring back what they learned in their UAAP campaign.
"Mas napapadami yung pagsasama namin ni Pabs tuloy. Kasi nga kami yung magkasama after ng practice, sabay kami pumunta sa practice. So chine-cherish ko yung pagsasama namin ni Pabs," he said.
La Salle's Doy Dungo in action against NU in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament, September 13, 2026 at the Araneta Coliseum. UAAP Media
As for Pablo, he said they're putting their focus on one game at a time as they are still playing for the Green Archers in the UAAP.
"Siyempre it's a bit challenging balancing everything. Pero whatever comes first, doon muna kami mag-fofocus. Which is UAAP, we have one more game. So yung mindset namin is how we will play and how will we win against UST, so yun muna before thinking about our national team duties," he explained.
"After our 5x5 practice, me and Doy, we will do viewing for 3x3, we scout our opponents on the international level just to make sure we're still on track," Pablo added.
Meanwhile, La Salle coach Topex Robinson is proud to see two of his players get national team call-ups, particularly on a big stage like the Asian Games.
"We want to just make sure that we send them off well, coming from a good game. But we're just excited especially for these two, the experience that they gain playing for our country, representing our country," Robinson said.
"Minsan lang naguguluhan sila kasi nga sa 3x3 and 5x5. But that's a once in a lifetime opportunity. You'll never say no to representing your country and making your country proud. So marami silang ma-eexperience doon and they're just gonna bring it here when they get back," he added.
Dungo and Pablo will suit up for La Salle on Wednesday when they face the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers at the Mall of Asia Arena before flying to Japan for Gilas 3x3 duties at the Asian Games.