MANILA – Negrense center Raul Soyud of the NLEX Road Warriors was motivated to improve his game further after being named as a candidate for the Most Improved Player award of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for the 2020 season.
The Bago City, Negros Occidental-native said he was surprised for his inclusion, but was thankful as the hardwork he put in the past year was recognized even if the Road Warriors fell short of playoffs contention in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup.
“Nagulat din ako na nasama ‘yung pangalan ko sa list ng Most Improved [candidates],” Soyud said in an interview with Spin.ph. “Alam ko kasi nung offseason na madadagdagan ng konti ‘yung playing time since na-trade si Poy (Erram of TNT Tropang Giga).”
“Sabi ko sa sarili ko, i-grab ko ‘yung opportunity na ibibigay ni coach kaya po sinisipagan ko lang para mapansin ako,” he added. “Sipag lang naman po ang meron ako. Hangga’t kaya ko pong magsipag at mag-tiyaga, ganun lang din po ang gagawin ko.”
The former West Negros University and University of the Philippines standout admitted that Road Warriors head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao’s tongue-lashing on him also pushed him to work his game better.
“Sa ensayo, hindi naman po nagagalit si coach. Pero kapag sa akin, nagagalit siya. Minsan, hindi ko daw nasusunod ‘yung mga gusto niyang gawin. Simula nung nagagalit siya sa akin, lalo kong pinagbubutihan ‘yung ginagawa ko sa ensayo,” Soyud said.
“Feeling ko, mino-motivate lang ako ni coach kaya pinapansin niya ako,” he added. “Wala ‘yung galit niya sa akin. Para naman po sa akin ‘yun. Hindi naman niya siguro gaganunin pag wala siyang nakikitang maigagaling pa po ako.”
Apart from his MIP nomination, Soyud’s career-high averages of 10 points and 6.82 rebounds – well above his averages of 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds the previous season also helped him land a contract renewal with NLEX.
“Medyo matagal na rin ako sa kanila kaya blessing po talaga ‘yung pasok sa 2021 kasi nakapirma agad. Tsaka kahit nag-start ang COVID, hindi ako nawalan ng trabaho,” he added./PN
