Chris Hubilla will finally make his collegiate basketball debut in NCAA Season 100 with Mapua University.
Hubilla's name has been on the radar since making an impressive showing with San Beda University in the NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball tournament and being a part of the tournament's Mythical Team.
Back then, Hubilla was among the Red Cubs' leaders as he posted averages of 18.11 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.44 assists, and 1.22 steals at the end of the elimination round. San Beda then finished with six wins and three losses in a logjam which saw the Red Cubs duke it out against San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Mapua University, and La Salle Green Hills in three playoff games.
Hubilla, then 20 years old at Grade 11, needed to take a gap year and finish his senior high school years first before entering collegiate basketball.
While he was on his gap year, Hubilla had an early commitment to the University of the Philippines.
However, it was not his final destination yet as he was eventually tapped by Colegio de San Juan de Letran, before finally committing with Mapua.
"Siguro, akala ko talaga, parang lagi kong pinagdarasal kay Lord na sana mapunta ako sa mas makakatulong ako na team at mas mabibigay ko 'yung talent ko and maipapakita ko 'yung talent ko na pinagtatrabahahuhan ko araw-araw, lalo na galing ako sa probinsya. Parang sabi ko kay Lord, kung saan Niya ako dalhin, dun na lang ako, magtitiwala ako sa kanya," Hubilla told GMA News Online.
"Napunta ako sa UP, napunta sana ako sa Letran. Ngayon, dito na talaga ako sa Mapua."
Hubilla said that his family was a factor in his decision to choose Mapua as he also wants to help them.
"Siguro isang factor 'yung family ko talaga. 'Di lang sa'kin 'yung decision na 'to. Parang nanghingi rin ako ng advice sa coaches ko and sa mga nakakaalam kung saan ako puwede. Ayun nga, napagdesisyunan ng family ko na mag-Mapua na lang ako since mas nakita ko na parang mas okay ako rito and sa Letran naman, thankful ako kasi gusto nila ako kunin. Parang factor talaga [ang] family eh kasi under pa ako nila," he said.
Despite his roller coaster offseason, Hubilla said he is still thankful as he became a better player, particularly after spending some time in Diliman.
"'Yun nga, parang doon naka-commit ako sa UP, ginawa ko 'yun na sabi ko nga, mas okay sa'kin na 'di pa ako nakalaro nung season na 'yun kasi 'di pa talaga ako ready sa collegiate basketball. Pero 'yun talaga sabi ko, bago ako sumalang sa collegiate, gusto ko ready na ako hindi lang sa physical, and sa mentality rin talaga kasi alam ko naman na hindi lang madali 'yung tatahakin ko ngayon as a rookie," the Bulan, Sorsogon native said.
"Siyempre mas marami akong dapat matutunan, puwedeng malaman kasi as a rookie, makikinig ako sa mga mas beterano sa akin and kinuha ko lang ang pagkakataon na maka-prepare talaga ako kasi sabi ko nga, wala naman talagang madali. Kailangan mo talaga pagtrabahahuhan at pagsikapan lahat ng gusto mo," he added.
Now, Hubilla is coming in ready for the Cardinals.
"Masasabi ko lang din na 100% ready na ako makipagsabayan sa mga team sa NCAA and gusto ko talaga ma-share mga talent ko kasi 'yun nga, galing ako sa probinsya, galing ako sa wala. Gusto ko talaga maibuhos talent ko lalo na sa pagbigay ng opportunity sakin ng Mapua," he said.
"Sobrang handang-handa na po talaga ako. Hindi ito para sabihin lang. Siguro, tinrabaho ko talaga kasi ito ang dream ko para makatulong sa family ko. Kada laro, kada practice, binibigay ko ang best ko kasi 'di naman araw-araw maganda laro mo. Bawi lang sa depensa and yun nga, sabi ko sa teammates ko, 100% ang commitment ko sa team."
NCAA Season 100 is scheduled to open on September 7.
—GMA Integrated News
