On last game as Green Archer: Andrei Caracut optimistic about La Salle's future

De La Salle University team captain Andrei Caracut said he enjoyed his last game in his collegiate career. UAAP PHOTO

Ending his UAAP stint on a high note with a win against Adamson University, De La Salle University team captain Andrei Caracut said he just enjoyed his last game in his collegiate career.

"Kanina nga sa game, di ko na pinapansin 'yung oras. Parang laro na lang ako, enjoy na lang," Caracut told reporters after the game.

The La Salle team captain made 14 points in the win against Adamson. "Masaya ako sa naging laro ko rin. Di ko ineexpect na ganun. Di ako confident sa katawan ko kasi nagkasakit ako. Pero 'yun nga, salamat sa Panginoon kasi e-exit ako nang maganda, and nakuha namin 'yung panalo," he said.

Despite the good exit, the 2015 men's basketball rookie of the year admitted that it was the loss against UP last Sunday that made him realize his days as an Archer was almost over. "Last game, dun ko na-feel yung lungkot eh. Doon talaga 'yung umiyak ako kasi parang lahat ng sacrifices mo, lahat ng binigay mo sa school, nag-flashback eh." That painful loss eliminated La Salle from Final Four contention.

"Last game naman, naisip ko lang after game lahat ng paghihirap mo na tapos na. Inisip ko lang na di naman katapusan ng buhay. May darating pa. Naisip ko lang na ang tapos na, ang bilis," Caracut said.

With La Salle failing to secure a slot in the Final Four again this year, Caracut is optimistic that the grass will be green again in Taft Avenue.

"Ang dami pang maiiwan eh. 'Yung mga maiiwan, attitude-wise, work ethic, meron sila. May import na rin sila next year. Alam ko kung gaano sila kadesidido, magpakondisyon, magpalakas, magpagaling. Kilala ko sila," said Caracut.

And his leadership role will be passed on to one of his closest friends, Aljun Melecio. "Obvious naman eh, si Aljun na. Kahit dati leader na siya. Siya 'yung maiiwan e, sina Balti (Justine Baltazar)i and Brandon [Bates]."

What will Caracut miss in the UAAP? "'Yung atmosphere na, lalo na pag mabibigat yung laban, daming nagchi-cheer sayo, daming sumusuporta sa'yo. Mami-miss ko 'yung crowd, 'yung fans, yung maglaro lalo na sa UAAP. Iba 'yung laro sa UAAP, kung ikukumpara mo sa iba. Iba yung UAAP, 'yung style ng paglalaro, competitive."

With the end of his UAAP career, Caracut said he will still continue his studies in La Salle. For other plans about his career, he said "May mga plano na ako pero di ko muna… siguro next week sabihin ko 'yung plans ko." — BAP, GMA News