Mark Esperanza delivered a much-needed boost for San Sebastian College-Recoletos, scoring 23 points in his NCAA debut to lead the Staglets past Mapua University, 72-71, on Sunday in NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball action.
It was also Esperanza’s clutch free throws that sealed the narrow victory for San Sebastian.
For the 18-year-old guard, the performance was his way of making up for lost time after missing the team’s first three games due to a suspension, having played in another league just before the season began.
“Papasalamat ako kay God na binigyan Niya sa amin 'tong panalo na 'to. Binigyan ko lang ng reward [ang team] nung wala ako kasi ang dami kong pagkukulang sa teammates and sa coaches ko,” Esperanza said on Sunday.
A transferee from Adamson University, Esperanza admitted it was painful to watch from the sidelines, unable to help his team on the court.
“Parang sa akin, ang sakit kasi hindi ako makatulong, lalo na sa mga coaches sa pinapagawa nila,” he added.
Now eligible to play, Esperanza hopes to apply the lessons he learned as a former Gilas Pilipinas Youth member and emerge as a leader for his new squad.
“Gusto ko maging isang leader na stable sa loob ng court, maturuan ‘yung mga teammates kung ano ‘yung mga mali nila.”
—GMA Integrated News
