Topex Robinson compares rookie Dungo to iconic La Salle guard

La Salle rookie Doy Dungo. Photo from UAAP Media

MANILA — De La Salle University showed why it is the defending UAAP men's basketball champions in its drubbing of Adamson University on Wednesday.

Led by reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao, the Green Archers hit the Soaring Falcons with an 82-52 beating during their faceoff at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. 

Unsurprisingly, the 6-foot-6 superstar tallied 21 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block in over 25 minutes of action as Taft cagers moved up to 2-0 in the standings.

But another player caught the attention of fans at the Big Dome -- La Salle rookie Doy Dungo, who was on fire from beyond the arc against Adamson U. 

"Lagi lang naman sinasabi sa akin ni coach na pag open ako, take ko lang yung shot ko at kumpyansa lang sa bawat galaw ko," said the 6-foot-3, 19-year-old who had 15 points — five-of-six from three-points — in his second game donning the Archers' Green and White. 

READ: Kevin Quiambao, La Salle cruise past Adamson to stay perfect

Dungo, who previously suited up for San Beda University and University of Santo Tomas during his high school career, was La Salle's second-leading scorer against the Falcons. 

This was reminiscent of his stint with the Tiger Cubs in Season 86 wherein he averaged 15.0 markers, 7.9 boards, 4.1 dimes, and 2.8 steals in 15 appearances. 

This, according to La Salle head coach Topex Robinson, is the main reason why he raved about the entry of Dungo to his team. 

"Actually, the first time I saw Doy in high school in UST I already fell in love with this kid," said the champion coach. "Sabi ko nga, he fits the build of what I want as a wing. He has the physique and sabi ko nga, he's like a gazelle eh, ang haba."

And with the prowess that Dungo has, Robinson offers him all the trust and confidence that he needs to excel with DLSU right away. 

"Sabi ko sa kanya when he came in, you're not coming in as a rookie," Coach Topex insisted. "Just follow up with how you played in the juniors division. That's why he gets all the opportunities, because he's gonna come in as Doy Dungo — the guy that everybody loves and admires."

"The support from the group is important because we want to make sure that he looks good. If he looks good, everybody looks good," Robinson added. 

Fortunately for the rook, one of his veterans in the team is none other than Gilas Pilipinas' Quiambao. 

"Yung gusto ko makuha sa kanya is yung love niya for the game at yung sipag niya," said Dungo on what he wants to learn from KQ.

"Yung hard work niya pag nasa practice kami, lagi siyang nag e-extra. Lagi niya rin akong sinasabihan na pag pinasahan niya ako, take ko lang yung shot," he added. 

Above all, what Doy wants is to be a major contributor for the Archers who are gunning to clinch their second straight title in the UAAP. 

"Yung sine-set ko lang na goal as a rookie is makatulong ako na mag back-to-back kami. Every game, tatrabahuhin talaga namin para maganda yung kalabasan," he said. 

But Robinson is optimistic that Dungo is more than just one of the many weapons that La Salle has.

"He's gonna be one of the future of this team. He has four more years [after this season], and I'm just excited to see him grow," he said.

La Salle rookie Doy Dungo. Photo from UAAP Media

Robinson even compared Dungo to a La Salle legend — former Green Archers star and four-peat champion Renren Ritualo. 

"He reminds me of Renren Ritualo. He's got the physique and that fight in him, so we're really fortunate to have Doy in our team," hailed Robinson. 

But for now, what Dungo needs to do, according to Coach Topex, is to bulk up and get his body ready for heightened UAAP physicality. 

"Ang challenge ko sa kanya ay magpalaki, kasi baka mapisa eh," quipped Robinson.  "Pero kaya nga pag nasa dorm kami, every time we're eating, I always look at what he eats," he added. 

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