UST’s Llemit plays inspired ball with idol Dwyane Wade at sidelines

MANILA, Philippines — Seeing a childhood hero watch you play basketball will surely give you a timely boost.

Just ask Mark Llemit. 

With NBA legend Dwyane Wade on the sidelines, Llemit shone for the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, towing the squad to an 81-69 win over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws. 

The forward scored 12 of his 18 points in the second half, as he finished with 11 rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block in the win. 

“Yung Dwayne Wade kasi eh, bata pa ako, pinapanood ko na talaga eh, so idol lang, idol na idol namin noong kuya ko noon eh, yun talaga yung tandem nila LeBron dati, so yun yung pinapanood namin na bata pa kami,” Llemit said after the game. 

“Nakaka-motivate lang kasi nandun siya sa gilid na nanonood. And habang naglalaro, tingin ako nang tingin sa kanya eh, kasi yun na nga, NBA superstar, legend, yun na nga, nanonood pa, so thankful naman na nga,” he added. 

Wade was watching from the sidelines of the match and even commentated for some time during the second quarter of the game. 

During that time, UST trailed 28-41 at the half.

But after Wade left the Big Dome, the Tigers found their bearings and outscored FEU, 53-28, in the second half. 

“Parang alam mo yung ganado din, kasi yun na nga, syempre, NBA legend. Sarap sa feeling na parang nanunood.” 

Llemit’s performance was enough to snap UST’s two-game losing streak while also breaking FEU’s four-game winning run. 

Prior to Wednesday’s game, the Tigers came off a heartbreaking overtime loss to the National University Bulldogs. 

Llemit said the difference this time is that they left an individualistic style of play behind.

“Yung kanina kasi, first set namin, sobrang sama din ata eh. Kasi parang naglaro kami na lalo, individual eh, hindi as a team. So yung second half namin, nakapag-adjust na kami kasi, nire-remind din sa amin ng mga coaches kasi kung individual lang yung lalaruin namin, kung para sa sarili namin, hindi kami may nananalo,” he said.

“So yun, thankful kami, nag-adjust kami noong third, then thankful din ako sa mga teammates ko kasi nag-step up sila.”

NU’s win came to the last second, with Llemit guarding Reinhard Jumamoy, who banked in a triple for the victory.

“Noong time na yun, lalo na ako, hindi ako makatulog eh kasi yun na nga, ako yung nagbantay noon, and ako yung na-shootan, and yun na nga, kinabukasan noon, nag-ensayo kami and nire-remind lang namin sa bawat isa na kailangan naming mag-same yung morale, hindi kami ma-down,” he said.

“May games pa, so thankful lang na nakuha namin yung win ngayon.”

UST will return to action on Saturday against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in their final first round game.