I remember watching that Terrafirma vs Phoenix game last season where Terrafirma scored 89 points, and something about those numbers stuck with me - Nonoy putting up 24 points, Pringle with 17, Sangalang contributing 10. It wasn't just about the statistics though; what fascinated me was imagining what went through these players' minds before they made those shots. See, I've been using visualization techniques in my own basketball training for years, and let me tell you, it's not some mystical woo-woo practice - it's as real as the sweat on your forehead after a tough workout.
Picture this: you're standing at the free throw line with seconds left in the game. The crowd's roaring, your heart's pounding, but instead of panicking, you've been here before - in your mind. I used to spend 15 minutes every morning visualizing my shooting form, imagining the ball leaving my fingertips with perfect rotation, hearing that satisfying swish through the net. It's exactly what separates players like Nonoy who can drop 24 points under pressure from those who crumble. The brain doesn't distinguish strongly between vividly imagined actions and real ones - there's actual science behind this. When you mentally rehearse, you're creating neural pathways that make the physical execution feel more familiar, more automatic.
I recall trying to improve my three-point percentage last season, and instead of just shooting hundreds of shots daily, I started incorporating mental rehearsal. During downtime, I'd close my eyes and visualize the entire motion - from planting my feet in the exact same stance every time to following through with my shooting hand. The improvement wasn't dramatic at first, but within two months, my game-day shooting percentage went from about 32% to nearly 41%. That's when I realized visualization isn't just about seeing success; it's about feeling the entire experience. You need to imagine the texture of the basketball, the sound of sneakers squeaking on the court, even the fatigue in your muscles during the fourth quarter.
Take Sangalang's performance - his 10 points might not seem spectacular on paper, but watching him play, you notice how he always seems to be in the right position for rebounds. That spatial awareness? You can develop that through visualization too. I sometimes lie in bed at night and mentally run through defensive rotations, imagining where I need to be when the ball moves to different spots on the court. It sounds silly, but it works. My coach once told me that many professional athletes spend up to 50% of their training time on mental preparation, and I believe it. The difference between scoring 5 points like Ramos and Melecio did versus putting up 24 like Nonoy often comes down to mental preparation.
One technique I particularly love is what I call "mistake rehearsal." Instead of only visualizing perfect scenarios, I imagine myself in tough situations - maybe I've just turned the ball over twice in a row, or I'm having an off shooting night. I visualize how I'd reset mentally, take a deep breath, and make the next play. This has saved me countless times during actual games. When I found myself in a slump during last season's playoffs, having mentally rehearsed this scenario helped me break through much faster.
The beauty of visualization is its accessibility. You don't need a gym membership or expensive equipment - just 10-15 minutes of focused mental work daily can yield remarkable results. I've noticed that on days when I skip my visualization routine, my decision-making on court feels slightly off, like I'm reacting instead of anticipating. It's the difference between Paraiso's 7 points coming from well-timed cuts versus forced shots.
Some people think visualization is just about seeing positive outcomes, but it's more nuanced than that. When I imagine taking a game-winning shot, I don't just see it going in; I feel the pressure of the moment, the fatigue in my legs, the noise of the crowd trying to distract me. This comprehensive mental rehearsal makes the actual experience feel familiar rather than intimidating. I'm convinced this is why some players like Pringle can consistently deliver 17-point performances - they've already lived those moments in their minds.
What surprises most people is how specific you need to be with visualization. Saying "I'll play better" won't cut it. You need to visualize exact scenarios - receiving a pass in the corner with a defender closing out, driving past your opponent using a specific crossover, even how you'll communicate with teammates during timeouts. This level of detail makes the mental practice transfer effectively to real games.
I've introduced visualization to several teammates over the years, and the ones who stuck with it showed noticeable improvement in their consistency. One friend improved his free throw percentage from 65% to nearly 80% in just two months by mentally rehearsing his routine before bed each night. Another became much better at reading defenses by visualizing different offensive sets and where openings would likely appear.
The numbers from that Terrafirma game tell a story beyond the scoreboard - they hint at the mental preparation behind each player's performance. While we can't know exactly how much each player used visualization, I'd bet the higher scorers had stronger mental rehearsal habits. Next time you're working on your game, remember that some of your most valuable training happens when you're not even moving - just closing your eyes and seeing yourself succeed.
