Perpetual’s Amiel Acido focused on work, not awards

Published February 29, 2024 2:56pm

Updated February 29, 2024 2:56pm

Amiel Acido is one of University of Perpetual Help System DALTA’s top performers in the NCAA juniors basketball tournament.

Last season, Acido was part of the Mythical Team as he posted averages of 17.33 points, 11.33 rebounds, 3.44 assists, 1.11 steals, and a block per game. This season, in just seven games, he already has 15.57 points, 8.86 rebounds, and 4.29 assists per game.

In their game against Jose Rizal University which the Altas won, 102-84, the Perpetual standout logged a triple-double performance of 17 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists, the first since Matthew Rubico’s triple-double in Season 98.

For Acido, however, he was just working on the court as the Junior Altas aimed to bounce back from their loss against Mapua University.

“Sa ngayon kasi since galing kaming talo, nanggigil po talaga kami bumawi. Sabi ni Coach [Jof Cleopas], treat ko raw ang game na ito as my last game,” Acido said, adding that he just trusted his teammates and he was not aware of getting a triple-double until his coach talked to him.

“‘Di ko po alam, talagang nagtrabaho lang ako sa loob. Nabulungan ako ng coach na dalawang assist na lang.”

(Since we were coming from a loss, we really wanted to bounce back. Coach said I should treat this as my last game.. I was not aware [of the triple-double]. I just worked inside the court. A coach whispered to me I was two assists away.)

Despite his good numbers, Acido said getting an individual award is not in his mind.

“Wala po sa isip ko, parang pag nasa court ako, iniisip ko lang ‘yung pinapagawa sa akin ng coaches, trabaho lang. Give 100%”

“‘Yung mga award, bonus na lang ‘yun, reward na lang sa tinrabaho ko.”

(It’s not in my head. If I’m on the court, I’m just thinking about what my coaches are saying. Just work, give 100%. Those awards are just bonuses and rewards for my work.)

Now, the Altas are steady en route to a possible Final Four appearance.

“Talagang pinaghandaan namin ‘tong season na ‘to. Marami talaga kaming sinakripisyo, simula pa lang ng pagpasok ni Coach Jof,” Acido said while referring to their new head coach Jof Cleopas.

“Itong results, parang outcome lang ng pinaghirapan namin.”

(We really prepared for this season. We sacrificed a lot since Coach Jof entered. The results are just the outcome of our hard work.)

Perpetual, currently at 6-1, will face fellow 6-1 squad Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Friday.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News