"It could be anybody on the team."
This is what Filipino-American rookie guard Deschon Winston said as he downplayed his explosive debut in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday, March 26.
Winston topscored for the Green Archers with 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting to go with three steals and one assist to help De La Salle eke out a 71-66 win over University of the East.
But the 6-foot-4 Winston, who previously played in US NCAA Division I school Central Michigan University, cited the team's defense as one of the factors why he was able to convert those points for the Green Archers.
"I scored some big points. I tried to get a lot of points from steals and even layups. That's usually what we try to do; we try to press and make the team feel it so we can get the easy basket," said Winston.
Winston also iced the game by firing his lone three-pointer to put De La Salle's lead back up to nine, 70-61, with less than two minutes remaining.
Coach Derrick Pumaren, for his part, said Winston's superb performance was already a given and commended the speedy guard for delivering late-game.
"He made a give three. I think that gave us the push but he can do a lot of things for us," said the two-time UAAP champion coach.
Winston, with the help of team captain Justine Baltazar and Evan Nelle, is expected to deliver anew for the Green Archers against National University on Tuesday, March 29 at 4 p.m.