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SMART CLARK GIGA CITY: Mo Tautuaa’s obedience as a player is paying off.
6’8-foot Tautuaa is thriving in his role as San Miguel’s leading man at the post in the absence of injured six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, once again demonstrating his dominance in the field. painting during the Beermen’s 89-82 comeback. -behind the victory against Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night in the gymnasium of the University Foundation of Angeles.
Tautuaa again led the reigning five-time champions in scoring with 23 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, where San Miguel rallied after losing by nine at the end of the third.
The Fil-Tongan added five rebounds and made the best of his confrontation with Meralco big man Raymond Almazan, who was limited to just five points and five rebounds.
Taututaa emphasized that he has now slowly learned to make a living in the paint with 6-foot-9 Fajardo out of the conference bubble as he recovers from an off-season shin injury that required surgery.
“Our entire coaching staff is making sure that I stay within what I have to do. You can see that I am much more effective on the inside than on the outside. I mean, why would I go to a place where I’m ineffective? ” he said.
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“So the coach knows something more than I do. I like to shoot and it’s great, but I need to be where he wants me to be to make sure our offense works, ”he added. “Taking on his role and making sure I do what he tells me is a great moment.”
But it doesn’t hurt the team every now and then if Tautuaa gets back into his comfort zone of shooting baskets from the outside, just as he did early in the fourth quarter when he hit a triple during a decisive run. by the brewers.
His only triple of the night was part of a 14-2 explosion at San Miguel that allowed the defending champion to overcome a nine-point deficit early in the period and finally take the lead, 74-71, with 9:15 left. play.
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“Oh yeah, did you see that man? I have to remind them that I can still do it, ”Tautuaa said with a laugh.
“I think I did airball last game, so I have to make up for that,” he added. “So people can still believe that I can shoot, if it’s there.”
Austria certainly wouldn’t mind if Tautuaa tried one every now and then.
