Interview with the UP Fighting Maroons' Mike Silungan

Interview with the UP Fighting Maroons' Mike Silungan

(This was conducted a few days after the start of the season. Sorry for the late post! I am using part of this material for a longer story on Mike and the Fighting Maroons -- hmm. Doesn't that sound like some soul band?)

Rick: I'm sorry about UP's opening day loss. Were you feeling nervous? You seemed a little tense.

Mike: I wouldn’t say tense or nervous. More on the terms “overanxious.” Of course I did have those first game jitters that most rookies have but once the ball was tossed up, I felt nothing to be nervous about.

Rick: Was the UAAP all cut out the way you thought it would be with the huge crowd and drums and cheers everywhere?

Mike: Yes. I’ve been sidelined 2 years being part of that roaring crowd and it felt really great to actually be on the floor, knowing that you finally made it in the UAAP. I guess some players don’t really realize how much support they have from people who don’t even know you on a personal level. It is an awesome feeling playing in front of 15,000 people because some players only dream about playing in front of that many. I feel I am truly blessed that basketball has given me this opportunity to play in front of many.

Rick: Those were some pretty long bombs you were throwing out there. I noticed even from FilOIl you liked taking them from far out. Why so?

Mike: Well, I guess I don’t really pay attention to how far I am when I shoot. If it is within my range and I know I can make it, then by all means. I have always been a shooter my whole life and I know whether it is a good shot or a bad one. It is a part of my game where it takes confidence to step up and make a big shot or a long shot. If I miss, then I miss. But at least I tried.

Rick: This might be a dumb question but nevertheless, did you ever see the King play (there is only one and he isn't the one who abandoned Cleveland for Miami)? What was it like during those three-peat years in Chicago? Did you ever play make believe with you hitting all those game winners? Was it a dream to play in the United Center?

Mike: The greatest ever, Michael Jordan. He is a big part of the reason why I love this game so much. Growing up and watching his games made me want to “be like Mike.”  Haha! Those years when he won the 3-peat again, I was 8,9,10 years old. At that time, I didn’t realize how much this basketball player, Michael Jordan, impacted the game so much. I knew he was the best player in the world, but I never knew so many people who hated him but loved him at the same time. He was so humble, grounded, and had a personality everyone loved. When I realized that he was more than just a basketball player, that’s when I decided that I wanted to be as good of a person as he was. Not only on the court, but off the court as well.

I would always play make believe with my brother in our court back home. The “final shot” he had in the 98’ finals was the shot I think everyone “make believed.” He held his hand for about 3 seconds after he made that shot and I think that nobody will ever forget that.

I have actually never played in the United Center but it has always been a dream of mine. But seeing the greatest to ever play the game at the United Center is enough for me. Some people didn’t have that opportunity, but luckily I am a Chicago Bulls fan!

Rick: What's the biggest difference between school ball here and in the United States?

Mike: I think school ball here is more up-tempo. It is more of a running game because the shot clock is 24 seconds. College basketball back in the U.S. is 20 minute half’s with 35 second shot clocks. I think that has to be the biggest difference because with 35 seconds on the shot clock, you have lots of time to set up plays and to really execute them with time to spare. As opposed to the 24 second shot clock, if the play breaks down then you might have to force up a shot knowing that the clock is winding down.