By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
It was a year ago when basketball fanatics and scouts were curious about this kid coming from Hua Siong College of Iloilo.
Quick, strong, clutch, a leader, the Negrense phenom Mark Nonoy possessed almost all the qualities of a promising basketball star, but critics doubted he would be able to in the national level after getting called up by coach Aldin Ayo to play for the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
As soon as Nonoy hit the hardwood he let his play silence the naysayers, impressing the UAAP community and quickly earned the respect of his peers.
And as a testament to Nonoy’s no-nonsense approach to the game, he was awarded as the Rookie of the Year in the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball.
Fully embracing his role as a pure point guard for the Growling Tigers, Nonoy’s feel for the game is different compared to other rookies. His decision-making in crunch time is on-point, a remarkable ability not usually expected from a rookie guard.
But that has been Nonoy’s gift ever since high school, icing opponents in the clutch. The kid is something special and he is proving it bit by bit.
