Chico Lañete’s wheels may already have a lot of mileage on them but his play in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup powered by TM is proving that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
In the championship game of the third leg last Sunday, the 41-year old scored eight points to help the Uling Roasters-Butuan City vanquish the resilient Pasig-Sta. Lucia Realtors, 21-20, and claim the title as well as the P100,000 cash prize that came with it.
Afterwards, the 12-year pro and 3x3 neophyte admitted he was exhausted.
"Wala na akong lakas nun. Totoo," said Lanete, who is the older brother of NorthPort guard Garvo Lañete and former University of the Visayas ace Von Lañete.
"After ng game, inisip ko lang na sana, may makita akong ice, may makita akong upuan. Binigay ko lahat kasi may goal kami," Lañete added.
Lañete was brilliant all throughout the third leg, proving that with age comes experience and craftiness. And of course, the veteran guard still has that trademark feistiness.
"Pinapakita ko rin na kaya ko pa. I'm sure, marami dyan, nagsasabi, 'Uy, matanda na yan! Kaya natin yan,'" Lanete shared. "Pero pinu-prove ko sa kanila na parang, 'Uy! Hindi pa! Teka lang, nandito pa ako.'"
Lañete added that he tries to lead by example, both on and off the floor.
"Sinasabi ko lagi sa kanilang bigyan natin ng time ang extra work out. Ako kasi, nakikita nila na nagwo-work out talaga ako, inaalagaan ko talaga katawan ko," Lañete said.
"Sabi ko sa kanila, kung kaya ko, kaya rin nila. Pinapaalala ko lagi na keep working hard lang dahil alam kong may papatunayan pa sila." (JNP)