San Sebastian College-Recoletos has found a lifeline in the NCAA Season 101, thanks to clutch heroics from rookie sensation Jhuniel Dela Rama.
The first-year forward delivered when the Golden Stags needed him most as they stunned Group B contender Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Group A leader University of Perpetual Help System DALTA to revive their campaign.
Dela Rama punished his high school alma mater Letran with a tough jumper over the defense of Mark Denver Omega to lift San Sebatian to an 82-81 escape.
He finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals in that stunner that stopped the Knights' five-game winning streak.
Dela Rama, a part of Season 100 juniors basketball Mythical Five for the Squires, then picked up where he left off and drained a pair of three-pointers in the final two minutes to steer San Sebastian to a 62-61 triumph over the ALTAs.
He tallied a double-double outing in that huge victory, finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds as they improved to 3-7 in Group A.
With his clutch performances, the 20-year-old Dela Rama was unanimously voted as the Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) NCAA Player of the Week presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
“Binabalik ko lang ‘yong tiwalang binibigay nila sa’kin. Sabi ko nga, pinagkakatiwalaan nila ako. Sinasabi nila na: ‘Sige, sa’yo na,’ kaya ginagawa ko lang ‘yung role ko,” the young bruiser said.
“Alam ko rin naman na ‘di selfish ‘yong mga kasama ko. Pinapasa talaga nila ‘yong bola sa’kin ‘pag kailangan.”
(I am just living up to the trust they gave me. I said, they put their trust in me. They said, 'Okay, this is yours' so I'm performing the role they asked of me... I also know my teammates aren't selfish. They pass the ball to me when needed.)
Dela Rama edged De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Tony Ynot, Perpetual’s Patrick Sleat, and last week’s awardee Titing Manalili for the citation supported by minor sponsors Discovery Suites and Buffalo Wings N’ Things, voted upon and deliberated by print and online scribes covering the collegiate sports beat.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
