Jimboy Estrada returned to the Colegio de San Juan de Letran lineup in style, dropping a career-high 30 points laced with seven rebounds, five assists, and one steal to help steer the Knights to a 101-98 double overtime win over San Sebastian on Tuesday.
The numbers were proof that the 22-year-old guard was a legit candidate for an individual award in the NCAA Season 100, especially the Rookie of the Year award where he was the frontrunner. But whatever he does from here on out will be for naught as Estrada won't be eligible to bag any award.
This after he was ejected late in their game against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA last October 13 for being called for an unsportsmanlike and technical fouls. That eventually resulted in a one-game suspension, disqualifying him from the awards race.
Estrada admitted having regrets over what transpired, saying an award would have validated not only his hard work but also the unwavering support he got from the people around him.
"Para sa akin, sobrang sayang ‘yun kasi hindi ko lang award ‘yun, award din ‘yun ng lahat ng naniniwala sa akin at sumusuporta sa akin. So sayang lang," Estrada told GMA Integrated News.
"Una sa akin, masakit talaga sa akin, naiyak pa nga ako after ng game namin na ‘yun kasi first time nangyari sa akin tsaka hindi ko rin ginusto."
[For me, it's a missed opportunity because that wasn't just an award for me, but an award for all those who believed in me and support me... For me, it's painful
Estrada is now trying to look at it in a different perspective, stressing it should serve as a lesson not only to him but to his fellow players as well as the season gets deeper and emotions get higher.
It also reminded him that playing in a highly competitive league such as the NCAA is not for the faint of heart.
"Siguro lesson learned na rin sa akin ‘yun tsaka sa mga players na napanood ‘yun. Hindi ko na siguro uulitin, sayang," he added.
"Kinausap ako ni coach, sinabihan niya ako na maging positive lang ako, na kailangan ako ng team. Hindi pwedeng malambot ‘yung puso mo dito eh, kailangan matigas kasi kailangan naming makabawi."
[I guess that's a lesson learned for me and for other players who watched it. I won't do it again... I spoke with coach, he told me to just stay positive and that the team needs me. You can't be soft in the heart here, you need to bounce back.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
