By Tara Murray
Patience has paid off for Bacchus Marsh Lions’ Mayuol Makuac.
Makuac, who lives in Melton, wanted to join the Lions for last year’s Country Basketball League north-west season.
Due to play points he wasn’t able to, but he continued to train with the side throughout the season and showed that he wanted to be part of the team.
When he was given the chance to be part of the team this year, he took it.
Averaging more than 21 points a game, he was one of the winners of the CBL north-west men’s most valuable player award. He was also named in the all star-5 team.
“It felt amazing,” he said. “It’s a blessing to be recognised by the league.
“I was happy with my season but unfortunately we didn’t get the championship, but individually I was happy with my performance.
“I made it my goal coming into the season to get a championship and be the most valuable player as well.”
Makuc, who started basketball after he followed in the footsteps of his brother, said he felt the Lions were a good fit for him and that he was keen to play for them.
That is why he stuck around last season despite not being able to play.
“I couldn’t play because of the points system, we already had another NBL1 [National Basketball League 1] player,” he said. “We couldn’t fit both of us in the roster.
“I just wanted to be part of the group. They are a great group of guys.
“The long term goal is to win a championship.
“I knew eventually I would play. I stuck with them, got a chance to play this year.”
The Lions made the finals for the second time in their history before being knocked out in the semi finals.
He said it was a huge accomplishment for the side.
The group and Makuac are already looking ahead to next year when they want to go at least one step further.
“I’m excited for next year even though we have to wait another whole year,” he said. “I’m excited for the future.
“We’ve got a good group of guys to be around, that is what is more important.”
Makuac, who played in the NBL1 West competition in Western Australia last season, said he was unsure what next year would hold.
He said that decision would be made in the next couple of weeks.
“It was a good new environment,” he said of Western Australia. “It was great being over there. It was really a decision I made out of nowhere.
“I wasn’t really planning on anything and it was something that I just made and it worked out. I’ll make a decision in the next few weeks.
“It could be NBL1 or [Big V] state champ.”
