From Bulusan, Sorsogon, rookie Chris Hubilla found a second home in Mapua University with the Cardinals.
The former San Beda high school player committed from one school to another as he spent a gap year after his NCAA juniors stint with the Red Cubs.
He had an early commitment with University of the Philippines, then was supposed to go to Colegio de San Juan de Letran. However, he ended up in another part of Intramuros with Mapua.
READ MORE | Chris Hubilla coming in ready for Mapua
On Friday, Hubilla just proved that he made the right decision to play with the Cardinals as he had a breakout performance of 18 points, 12 rebounds, and two steals to lead Mapua to a 77-62 win against Letran.
"Nagpasalamat lang ako sa Panginoon kasi siya ang nagbigay nitong struggle ko sa buhay na nagpalipat-lipat ako. Finally, nahanap ko na ang tahanan ko na ico-comfort ako. Parang 'pag nagkamali ako, ibo-boost ako na matuto ulit. 'Yun ang nakuha ko rito sa Mapua," Hubilla said on the heels of his double-double outing.
However, for Hubilla, he is just doing what is asked of him and anything beyond that is just a bonus.
"Ginagawa ko lang best ko pero kung may opportunity na mas lumaki pa 'yung career-high natin sa NCAA, why not 'di ba? Pero kung ano munang role na ibigay sakin ng coaches, 'yun lang muna," he added.
Hubilla also earned the praise of head coach Randy Alcantara as the former somehow became the spark plug that the team needed.
"Lagi ko naman siya in-expect na ganito kasi ang taas ng energy ng bata and malaking tulong, boost 'yun sa Mapua. Nakita nila [na] ganun kasigasig kumuha ng rebound and of course, go hard sa offense. 'Yun, tumaas ang energy namin because of Chris," Alcantara said.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
