A first ever PBA finals appearance and perhaps a breakthrough championship, somehow lessened the self-doubt initially felt by rookie guard Bong Quinto.
The Meralco freshman admitted questioning his ability earlier after going down as far as the second round of the 2018 rookie draft.
The 6-foot-1 Quinto averaged a triple double in his final year with Letran and won an NCAA championship with the school in 2015.
His credentials highly speak for himself that he was a projected first round pick in the pro league.
That was until draft day came.
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Quinto was snubbed in the first round and wasn't called on stage until the Bolts had their turn in the second round at no. 14.
He isn't denying feeling a bit hurt by the incident.
"Naging challenge talaga sa akin yun. Kasi siyempre, sa loob ng first round hindi man lang natawag yung pangalan ko," said Quinto.
"So naging question sa sarili (ko) kung ano pa ang kulang, kung ano pa ang dapat gawin."
Quinto didn't immediately get the playing minutes with the Bolts as he had to share a loaded Meralco backcourt that included Baser Amer, Chris Newsome, Anjo Caram, John Pinto, and fellow rookie Trevis Jackson.
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But he remained patient and kept his trust to coach Norman Black and his staff.
"Ako trabaho lang and then practice, sunod ako sa mga assistant coaches namin. Sa shooting kay coach Chris Tan, coach Patrick (Fran), everyday pinu-push nila ako.
Coach Ronnie (Magsanoc), dribbling and defense. Lahat sila tinutulungan nila lahat ng players ng Meralco para mag-improve," said Quinto.
That patient eventually paved off when Black gave Quinto the needed break in the season-ending Governors Cup.
"Sobrang thankful ako talaga sa kanya (Black), kasi siya yung kumuha sa akin. Ganun din kay coach Ronnie (Magsanoc), siya kasi yung nagsabi na 'andiyan pa si Quinto (sa second round), kunin natin,'"
"So Meralco talaga yung reason bakit andito ako," he said.
Quinto repaid that trust by averaging 6.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists for the conference.
He did save his best for last after erupting for 19 points, including eight straight in a crucial stretch in the fourth quarter as the Bolts clinched a finals berth by ousting TnT Katropa, 89-78, two days before Christmas.
Now Quinto gets to dance with the Bolts in the big stage opposite favorite Barangay Ginebra Kings.
Making the finals somehow eased whatever pains Quinto felt in his first foray as a pro.
"For me naman, tapos na siya. Tatlong conference na ito," he said. "Naka-move on na ako. Kumbaga ito na, finals. Sa buong first round, sino pa bang rookie ang nandiyan? Ako, si Trevis Jackson. Sa kabila, si Teytey Teodoro."
Will Quinto then get the last laugh?
"Ipapakita ko lang kung ano yung kaya kong i-provide o matulong sa team ko," he humbly said.(RG)
