Mapua University's Warren Bonifacio came out roaring in the Cardinals' 65-59 win over San Sebastian College-Recoletos in NCAA Season 97 on Tuesday, finishing with a double-double as they went 3-0.
Bonifacio shared that his motivation was just to give his best since he's one of the smallest centers in the current crop of big men in the league.
Standing at just 6-foot-4, Bonifacio is relatively small compared to contemporaties like 6-foot-9 Ladis Lepalam of College of Saint Benilde, 6-foot-7 Justin Arana of Arellano University, 6-foot-6 JM Calma of San Sebastian, and 6-foot-7 Jeo Ambohot of Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
His efforts bore fruit, though, as Bonifacio tallied a double-double showing of 16 points and 14 rebounds to go along with two assists, one steal, and a block as they remained untouched in the tournament.
"Binigay ko lang talaga 'yung best ko lalo na ako 'yung pinakamaliit na sentro ngayon sa season na 'to," said Bonifacio.
"Ginawa ko lang 'yung trabaho ko, sinunod ko 'yung game plan ng coaches sa team namin kaya siguro naging ganon 'yung stats ko."
Bonifacio will once again be tested as Mapua will be facing defending champion Letran on Friday where he will go up against other big men in Ambohot, Louie Sangalang, Pao Javillonar, and Christian Fajarito.
"Talagang paghahandaan namin ngayon kasi may almost two days preparation naman. Kailangan namin doblehin 'yung effort namin kasi doon masusubukan 'yung character namin."
—JMB, GMA News
