Brandon Bates not letting the highlight get to him

SCHEDULE: PBA Finals San Miguel vs Meralco

Meralco Bolts’ Brandon Bates towards San Miguel defenders within the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco’s Brandon Bates has been incomes reward and a spotlight as of late along with his natural rebellion within the PBA Philippine Cup.

Now within the Finals of the all-Filipino match, Bates continues to be being closely talked about however he doesn’t need the eye and the limelight to get into his head.

“Firstly, I actually admire all of the help. All of the followers which have popped up on-line to help me. I actually, actually admire it however you may’t let it get to your head,” stated an ecstatic Bates with Inquirer Sports activities after their Sport 1 win over San Miguel at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

READ: PBA: Brandon Bates’ emergence comes well timed for Cliff Hodge, Meralco

“As quickly as you let it get to your head, you begin to flip ‘yabang’ and say I’m adequate to do that or that and no, I’m not adequate. I’ve received so many flaws, I’ve received a lot of holes in my sport that I must work on so whereas I admire it very a lot, it nonetheless feels a bit bit unearned.”

Regardless of solely ending with two factors, Bates was nonetheless strong in his restricted 17 minutes of motion with 4 rebounds and 4 blocks.

Bates has slowly been constructing his identify as a defensive juggernaut after tallying six blocks within the Bolts’ Sport 7 win over Ginebra within the semifinals.

However that bout was with the Gin Kings.

READ: Profitable towards Standhardinger, Brandon Bates readies for match with June Mar

Proper now towards the Beermen, he’s dealing with what’s actually a gargantuan job in defending June Mar Fajardo.

Fajardo tallied a monster double-double of 23 factors and 10 rebounds however he absolutely didn’t get there simply.

“Nonetheless exhausting you suppose he’s, he’s about 1,000 occasions more durable. Truthfully, it’s like guarding a mountain. He’s one of many strongest gamers I’ve ever, ever performed towards,” stated Bates.

“He’s so sensible, he is aware of the right way to use his physique. As soon as he’s beneath the basket, you’ve received no alternative or shot.”

Guarding Fajardo is among the primary the reason why Bates desires to maintain his head within the clouds and ft on the bottom.

Regardless of the recognition he’s gaining, he nonetheless has to do the soiled work of defending one of many PBA’s finest gamers in historical past.

And that may be a problem that Bates would undoubtedly like to take for 4, 5, six and even seven extra video games.

“It’s a problem that you really want as a rookie. You don’t wish to come into the league and simply be enjoying towards mid-tier gamers. You wish to be enjoying and proving your self towards the very best.”