MANILA – Luis Pablo is embracing the challenge of balancing his duties with the Gilas Pilipinas national team and De La Salle University this month, as he anticipates learning plenty of lessons with both teams.
READ: UAAP adjusts September schedule over Gilas commitments
Pablo will first be suiting up for the Green Archers for their first two games in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament in the coming week.
The La Salle forward will then turn his focus to 20th Asian Games, after being called up for the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 team competing in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Pablo will be joining forces with fellow Green Archer Doy Dungo, Nic Cabañero and UST Growling Tigers' Koji Buenaflor in the Gilas 3x3 squad.
"Super grateful and blessed ako, to be able to play for the national team and to represent our country. I am super grateful even though na sabay siya sa UAAP, I am so excited and motivated to play," Pablo told reporters on the sidelines of the UAAP Season 89 press conference on Tuesday.
"My personal goal is to win gold for sure for the country. It will be a great and surreal feeling to win the gold and to make our country proud," he said.
Pablo is no stranger to 3x3 basketball, recently suiting up for Gilas in the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League. He also led DLSU to its fourth straight gold in the UAAP Season 88 3x3 tournament.
READ: Luis Pablo, La Salle take down rival Ateneo to complete 3x3 four-peat
While it is admittedly tough to balance his duties, Pablo is excited and driven by his passion and willingness to play basketball.
"Obviously, it's a bit challenging because to balance the training with La Salle and the national team. But it's also a challenge for us to balance yung school duties namin and national duties namin. Sobrang grateful kami sa experience na ito," Pablo said.
Beyond juggling his time for school, the Green Archers and the national team, Pablo said another challenge is adjusting his game from 5x5 play to the 3x3 grind.
"It's a challenging and mental aspect because after 5x5 practice, we will go straight to 3x3. Kailangan quick turnaround yung pag-shift namin na oh, iba yung rules. Siyempre iba yung rules ng 5x5 and 3x3 eh," he said.
"I think okay siya na mental training for us players. Kaya sobrang happy talaga ako sa 3x3 kasi talagang ibang challenge siya eh. Super fast yung 3x3 eh. Personally, kailangan ko i-train sa aspect ng game ko is yung decision making. Kasi sa limited time lang, kailangan no hesitation," Pablo shared.
Aside from being able to represent the flag, Pablo is excited to gain invaluable experience playing against high-level competitors on the continental stage.
"I look forward to playing with other countries and other players that are very well experienced in terms of the international level. I'm really looking forward to learning and growing as a player as I play against them," he said.
"I think it will be a confidence booster for me. Knowing that I can compete with these type of players, elite players. I have that mindset that I can compete with anyone. I think that's my biggest takeaway for playing against international and stronger teams," Pablo added.
DLSU will open its UAAP Season 89 campaign against the National University Bulldogs on September 13 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Pablo is set to fly to Japan next week with the Asiad 3x3 basketball event set to begin on September 21.