Mapua University rookie Chris Hubilla is shaping up to be the next big thing for the Cardinals.
Hubilla is currently posting 12.25 points alongside 5.5 rebounds, 0.88 assists, and 0.63 steals as he supplies support to reigning MVP Clint Escamis and veteran Cyrus Cuenco, helping last season's runner-up Mapua soar to solo second with a 6-2 card so far.
But back then, all Hubilla wanted was to have the basic needs of life. That is why he was surprised to learn that basketball could bring him to places he never thought he'd be in.
"Nando'n lang ako sa Bicol dati, simpleng buhay lang talaga," Hubilla shared to GMA News Online.
"Sa akin, makakain lang nang libre okay na. Makapag-aral lang nang libre okay na ako. Hindi ko rin inakala na magiging isang player ako sa NCAA. Ginrab ko lang ‘yung every opportunity kasi minsan lang dumating ‘yung mga ganito."
The Mapua freshman did not want to step out of his comfort zone at first, knowing how difficult it would be once he leaves his hometown.
However, Cezar Babasa, a coach in Bicol and for Arandia College, convinced the young cager to fly to Manila and play for the squad in a junior basketball league where he would eventually meet former San Beda high school coach Manu Inigo during a tune-up match.
Inigo would then pursue Hubilla to join the Red Cubs ahead of the NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball tournament.
"Dati ayaw ko talaga mag-Maynila kasi sobrang takot ako kasi wala naman akong magulang dito. Sa Bicol nga nagugutom ako, dito pa kaya na wala akong kakilala," Hubilla added.
"Sarili ko lang talaga ang nagtaguyod sa akin. Itong basketball ang nagtaguyod sa akin.
When Inigo parted ways with San Beda in late 2022, Hubilla found himself at the crossroads again: leave too and follow Inigo, go back to Bicol, or stay in San Beda. He chose the last one.
"Umuwi muna ako ng probinsya one week before Season 98. One week lang ako nag-ensayo kasi naguguluhan nga ako kung susunod ba ako kay Coach Manu, kasi sila nga ‘yung tumulong sa akin," he shared.
"Pero sinabi ko na mag-stay na lang ako sa Beda."
That decision proved to be the game changer for him.
In Season 98, Hubilla turned heads for the Red Cubs and helped the team reach the Final Four while also being named to the Mythical Five after emerging as the school's top scorer with impressive averages of 20.86 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.29 assists.
"Nag-decide din ako sa sarili ko. Aware ako na malakas ‘yung San Beda team na ‘yun kaya masakit din para sa akin na hindi kami nanalo. Iniyakan ko rin ‘yun," Hubilla said.
Mapua's rising star
After a one-and-done high school stint in San Beda, Hubilla wasn't spared from another dilemma.
As he took a gap year, he initially committed to University of the Philippines and trained with the Fighting Maroons before deciding to make a u-turn and supposedly join Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the NCAA.
However, his final stop sees him at Mapua University.
Mapua had always been on Hubilla's radar as Cardinals deputy coach and Red Robins coach Yong Garcia tried to recruit him for their high school squad. And this makes Hubilla feel right at home in Intramuros.
"Sabi ko baka ito lang talaga ‘yung nakalaan sa akin, ‘yung Mapua. Ang sarap lang maglaro kasi naghintay ako ng dalawang taon kaya gigil na gigil ako," he said.
"Thankful ako na napunta ako sa team na ‘to kasi super welcomed ako."
While he is eager to help the Cardinals complete an unfinished business, Hubilla stressed he is not rushing his growth.
"Iniiwas ko ‘yung gigil ko sa court, hindi naman kasi nakakatulong sa akin," Hubilla added.
"Hindi sila nagkukulang sa akin sa pagpapaalala kasi ‘pag nanggigigil ako, mas nagkakamali ako. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘wag ako ma-pressure."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
