Louna Ozar is utilizing her expertise taking part in in France to the hilt for the Maroons. —UAAP MEDIA
Louna Ozar has performed for less than 5 video games for the College of the Philippines (UP), however the Filipino-French guard has figured prominently within the Preventing Maroons’ early success in UAAP ladies’s caging.
UP turned in its most interesting begin in 15 years, and is shaping up as Closing 4 contenders this 12 months after narrowly lacking the knockout part final season with Ozar averaging 11.4 factors—the second-best efficiency amongst Paul Ramos’ prices.
“Louna has been commendable for the group. Not just for her performances on the court docket but additionally outdoors,” he instructed the Inquirer just lately shortly after a dinner organized by Nickel Asia Corp.
“She’s an incredible character, simple to go along with, very humble and hardworking as properly. A winner and competitor who shouldn’t be onerous to jell with,” he added.
Ozar, 19, traces her Filipino lineage to her father Leo, who hails from Camiguin and emigrated to France within the mid-90s. She broke into the Philippine basketball scene taking part in for Pat Aquino and Gilas Pilipinas Girls.
The rookie sensation missed her first two video games with UP as a result of a Gilas stint within the Hangzhou Asian Video games—one of many nationwide group excursions that, seems, primed her properly for the UAAP.
Whereas these gigs with Gilas afforded her wealthy taking part in expertise, Ozar feels that her equally succesful teammates, Christie Bariquit, Kaye Pesquera, Favour Onoh, are additionally making it simple for her at UP.
Ligue Féminine
“I used these experiences and put them right here within the UAAP. I didn’t play instantly for UP however the group has been making it simple for me within the recreation. I discover them simply on the court docket and [they find me easily] as properly,” she instructed the Inquirer in a separate chat.
Standing at 5’8” with a skillset of a guard polished by quite a few battles in opposition to older ladies in Paris’ Ligue Féminine de Basketball in her youth, Ozar has put collectively a large benefit that places her over her homegrown counterparts within the UAAP.
And that’s what Ramos is seeking to proceed banking on because the Preventing Maroons open their second spherical marketing campaign with a UAAP championship in thoughts.
“I’m simply hoping we are able to maintain the momentum of her with the ability to showcase her abilities and abilities [toward] the Closing 4. And hopefully, within the Finals,” the younger coach stated.
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“[Louna’s] nonetheless hungry to be taught. Nonetheless working onerous. And there’s no ere in her, because the cliché goes, regardless of her wealth of expertise,” he went on. “She’s very down-to-earth. A really coachable participant in that sense.” INQ