Rookie Ato Ular making big impact for rising Blackwater

Blackwater rookie Ato Ular during a game against Terrafirma in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup. PBA IMAGES

ANTIPOLO CITY — Rookie Ato Ular has been playing with sustained brilliance for Blackwater in the PBA Philippine Cup.

So steady Ular has been that he actually leads all freshmen in the scoring department, averaging 13.3 per contest.

The Tarlac native said he is simply making the most out of a simple formula.

“I’m just trying to repay the trust given to me by coach (Ariel Vanguardia),” he told reporters in Filipino shortly after Blackwater’s 107-70 blowout of Terrafirma at Ynares Center here.

Ular said that he has paired that eagerness with his experiences playing in other leagues filled with ex-pros. At 27, the Letran product has also played in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League and FilBasket, priming him up for the big dogs of the PBA.

“It was big for me that I played against oldheads. You really have to play both defense and offense,” he said.

Ular led the way for Blackwater that night, putting up 16 points that went with five rebounds.

He also shot well from deep, converting two of three tries from the rainbow territory proving that he can offer much more aside from being a decent 6-foot-4 operator in the paint.

“We don’t actually run any plays for Ato. He’s just there, always ready, making right cuts,” said Vanguardia.

“I really prepared for my entry into the PBA. I’m also late into this. I’ve been more than ripe (for this),” Ular said.