Ahead of NCAA Season 100, questions were raised on whether Mapua University can pick up where it left from last season with only six holdovers left in the fold.
Despite bumps on the road in their ongoing campaign, the Cardinals are making sure to prove the doubters wrong, thanks in large part to their rookie class.
Rookies Chris Hubilla and Lawrence Mangubat, who were both highly-touted players in the junior ranks for the Mapua Red Robins and San Beda Red Cubs, respectively, have already shown their wares for the Cardinals as they provided support to veterans Clint Escamis and Cyrus Cuenco.
Yam Concepcion joined that list on Saturday.
The 6-foot-3 big man broke out with a career-high game to propel Mapua's heated 75-71 win over Jose Rizal University to return to the win column with a 7-3 slate.
"Sa akin naman, ginagawa ko lang talaga ‘yung role ko, lagi lang ako nandito sa likod nila. ‘Pag sumablay sila, ako na bahala doon [sa rebound]," Concepcion said.
"And tiwala rin naman ako sa kanila eh, nagkakaro’n lang kami ng tiwala sa isa’t-isa."
Concepcion stepped up in the absence of another big man John Jabonete, who was ejected from the game following an elbow hit on Karl de Jesus late in the second period. He ended up with 19 points together with nine rebounds to power the Cardinals to bounce back victory.
But that wasn't on his mind at first, saying he's just making the most of his first tour of duty in the NCAA, which he revealed was his childhood dream to begin with.
"Sa una pa lang kasi talaga, pangarap ko na rin mag-ncaa bata pa lang ako. Nakakalaban namin sila, natatalo kami, nanalo kami," he added.
"Siguro time na lang talaga. Mukhang ito ‘yung team na para sa akin, napapanaginipan ko na itong pula kaya sumama na ako."
Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara can attest to his ward's relentless hard work, which was the reason he brought him into their centennial roster.
"‘Yun unang titignan mo ay ‘yung sipag, ‘yung hustle and nu’ng time na ‘yun," Alcantara recalled.
"Walang kapalit ‘yung sipag eh and so andito na siya, nabigyan na siya ng chance so tuloy-tuloy lang. Nakita naman namin sa kanya na willing naman siya matuto at ma-adapt itong laro sa NCAA."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
