Gian Mamuyac credited the Ateneo basketball program and head coach Tab Baldwin for the improvements he had achieved through four seasons with the Blue Eagles.
What made UAAP Season 84 different from the past years is that Mamuyac, who is the team captain of Ateneo, clawed his way to the top of the scoring leaderboard specifically in the three-point area after the first round.
The 23-year-old combo guard shot 44 percent from beyond the arc, holding a very slim margin against Far Eastern University's Xyrus Torres with 43.9 percent.
Interestingly, it was all the Eagles from there as Tyler Tio (41.67 percent), Jolo Mendoza (41.67 percent), and Cris Koon (38.89 percent) rounded out the Top 5 while Dave Ildefonso followed suit with 37.84 percent.
Ateneo filling up the leaderboard speaks volumes and it showed how the program works not only for Mamuyac but for the rest of the players.
"Regarding this matter, I think it just shows how great this program is and how great this program develops its players," said the veteran guard after the Eagles' 75-68 win over the De La Salle Green Archers last April 12.
"I just wanna give credit to the coaching staff. Not only do they give me confidence but also they stayed in the gym with us and work with us. So as much as I wanna get all the credit, hindi puwede kasi (I cannot get all the credit because) the coaching staff did their part and I won't be shooting or I wouldn't be that kind of player without them."
Baldwin, for his part, said the word "evolution" is the proper term to use in reference to Mamuyac's overall aspects as a player.
But more than just his defensive prowess, where he was mostly known prior to Season 84, Baldwin said Mamuyac has shown more confidence in terms of his shooting abilities, be it mid-range or three-pointers.
Behind Mamuyac's efforts, Ateneo won against National University, 74-64, last April 5 where he hit a dagger triple and University of the East, 94-72, last April 7.
"Mamu has always been effective as a defensive player and you develop a reputation for that, but you know he's a professional young man. He doesn't just rest on the fact that he's a defensive player," said Baldwin.
"His passing has improved, then obviously his shooting has been improving because he worked at it. You know he's just another good example of our program, of a guy that strives completely to be a basketball player," added the three-time UAAP champion coach.