Mapua University knew that in order to stop San Beda University, it has to stop San Beda star Jacob Cortez.
That was the tall task that Cardinals head coach Randy Alcantara faced during their one-week break ahead of the best-of-three finals duel against the Red Lions.
The job to put the clamps on Cortez was handed down to rookie Peter Rosillo, who fortunately delivered.
“Actually, credit to him nga kasi na-stop niya si Jacob Cortez nu’ng first half. Sabi ko sa kanya maging obsessed ka sa kanya kasi ikaw ‘yung naka-assign eh, dikit mo ‘yung picture niya sa kama mo,” shared Mapua guard Clint Escamis.
“Mga joke-joke lang ‘yun pero sabi ko sa kanya na keep working hard and ang ganda ng game niya today.”
[Actually, credit to him because he was able to stop Jacob Cortez in the first half. I told him he had to be obsessed with Jacob because he's the one assigned to him. Put a picture of Jacob on his bed. Those were all jokes but I did tell him to keep working hard and he had a great game today.]
With Rosillo defending Cortez, the San Beda standout was held scoreless on a dismal 0-of-4 shooting from the field in the first half.
Though Cortez did drop a total of 12 points in the second half, the impact Rosillo made on the game had already been made as the Red Lions could not complete the comeback and the Cardinals escaped, 68-63, to move a win away from ending a 32-year title drought.
Beyond his defense on Cortez, Rosillo also churned out 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. And Escamis said they would need another big game from Rosillo as they seek to close out the series on Sunday.
“I’m so proud of him and sana tuloy-tuloy na hanggang sa Game 2,” Escamis added.
[I'm so proud of him and I hope it continues to Game 2.]
But the Cardinals know the series is far from over and expect a tougher fight from the Red Lions come Game 2.
“We’re glad na nakuha namin ‘yung first game sa series pero hindi naman doon natatapos, job’s not done yet so we have to practice pa,” sais team captain Warren Bonifacio.
“Kailangan paghandaan pa namin ‘yung Game 2 kasi alam namin babawi ‘yung San Beda.”
[We're glad to get the first game of the series but it's not yet over, job's not done yet so we have to keep practicing. We need to prepare for Game 2 because we know San Beda will bounce back.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
