It wasn't long ago when JM Calma last played in the NCAA and as he returns to the league, this time as a member of the audience, the 6-foot-6 bruiser said he's expecting a lot from the current San Sebastian College-Recoletos roster.
Calma, who now mans the middle for NorthPort in the PBA, said he's confident the Stags can make it as far as the Finals in the ongoing Season 98 men's basketball tournament, where the team currently features a 2-1 card.
"Kaya nila 'yan mag-Final Four. 'Yung sistema pareho pa rin, 'yung pamamalakad so nakikita ko nga mag-fa-Finals ngayon 'yan," said Calma when he trooped to FilOil EcoOil Centre to watch the Stags upset Mapua University, 57-56, last Sunday.
"Magfa-Finals 'yan, nagtitiwala ako sa kanila. Mag-focus lang sila tsaka avoid lang nila 'yung distractions."
San Sebastian took care of its first assignment against Arellano University before falling short of a comeback attempt to De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
But the Stags made sure to bounce back as they dealt Mapua back-to-back losses last Sunday.
And Calma said he's impressed with the way his alma mater is playing, while saying that team captain Ichie Altamirano and veteran Ammar Cosari are tipped to lead this new campaign of San Sebastian.
"Sa performance naman nila, okay naman. Sobrang ganda ng preseason nila so expectations ko sa kanila medyo mataas kasi balanced na 'yung team nila although maraming bago," added Calma, who was part of last season's Mythical Five and Best Defensive Team.
"Pero kaya naman nila. Nandyan naman si Coach Egay (Macaraya) para sa mga pagsubok na dadaanan."
Calma also can't help but to savor the chance of visiting the NCAA.
"Sobrang saya bumalik sa NCAA. Nung last season kasi medyo tahimik 'yung mga laro kasi walang drums, walang mga nanonood so bumalik ako para ma-feel ko 'yung NCAA talaga na katulad ng dati."
—JMB, GMA News
