GOOD thing Johnedel Cardel knew Louie Sangalang from way back.
That's the rationale behind the extended playing minutes the rookie big man has been getting at Terrafirma in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Sangalang scored 19 points on 9-of-11 shooting in the Dyip's 110-108 thriller over the Northport Batang Pier in what has been his finest showing yet as a pro.
For good measure, the 6-foot-4 forward added five rebounds and two assists in Terrafirma's fifth win in 10 outings that moved the team closer to a first playoffs appearance in the last eight years.
Cardel picked Sangalang in the second round of last season's draft mainly due to his familiarity with the former Letran standout.
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"Kilala ko na ito nasa Letran pa lang siya. Lagi ko siyang nakakasama sa games nila for the grand slam," he said of Sangalang's stint with the Intramuros-based school where the bruising forward won three straight NCAA men's basketball championship.
Cardel was once part of the coaching advisers of former Letran mentor Bonnie Tan, paving the way for him to know Sangalang better.
"Tumutulong naman tayo dati kahit papaano by giving them (Knights) pointers," said the Terrafirma coach of his role with the Letran team back then.
And so when Sangalang was still available as the Dyip made their turn at the no. 22 pick, the soft-spoken coach didn't hesitate to draft the 24-year-old big man.
Sangalang though, didn't play with Terrafirma right away as he had to finish first his contractual obligations with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL.
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But when he was finally available, Sangalang proved how serviceable he can be to Terrafirma's cause.
"He's a big help for us. Sabi ko kahit paano meron kaming 'small big man,'" Cardel said. "Kahit ganito lang kalaki itong mama na ito, matapang talaga ang puso nito. Playing in the PBA, kailangan malaki ang puso mo dito. Kung mahina-hina ka, walang mangyayari sa career mo. Kailangan maging tough ka." (RG)
