Newly crowned NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball champion and Finals MVP Justin Cargo is looking to prove himself in the collegiate ranks after helping Colegio de San Juan de Letran return to glory.
Letran prevailed over Arellano University in Game 2 of their Finals showdown with a 91–88 overtime victory to take home the crown. The Squires also ruled Game 1 with an 85–79 win to secure their 15th overall title in the tournament.
The 19-year-old guard is now bidding farewell to his high school stint not only with a championship trophy, but also with his first individual award after being named the Finals MVP of the series.
In Game 1, Cargo made the most of his playing time, scoring 12 points along with four rebounds in just 14 minutes of action. He followed it up with a dominant Game 2 performance, registering a 17-point, 14-rebound double-double to go with five assists and one steal in regulation.
As Cargo sets his sights on pursuing collegiate hoops, he hopes to earn a spot on a bigger stage.
“Sobrang saya talaga na nag-champion. Yung talo namin last year 'yung naging daan para magpursigi pa ako. At graduating na rin ako. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, talagang kailangan ko gawin lahat kasi para 'pag umangat ako sa college may maiiwan kaming trophy,” Cargo said.
“Wala pa namang kumakausap sa akin na school for college. Pero may dream school ako -- sa UP. Kasi nandun yung mga naging kasama ko noon. Mga tinuturing kong kuya sina Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Reyland Torres,” he added.
Andrew Estrella, who was appointed as head coach of the Squires just last July, is pleased with how his mentorship will contribute to Cargo’s future, even after only a short time together.
“Ito ata 'yung isa sa mga hindi ko masyadong pinapansin because he’s doing the things na dapat gawin. Minsan lang kaming mag-usap niyan pero off the court pa 'yung naging tema namin. Pero when it comes to being on the court, wala akong masasabi sa batang 'yan. Sabi ko naman sa kanila, I’m thinking about your future. That’s why I’m here. Second 'yung maging champion ka,” Estrella said.
When he entered Letran’s high school basketball program, Cargo experienced heartbreak following a Final Four exit that ended their three-peat bid in Season 100 last April.
Though the pain from earlier this year was still fresh, the young guard had the opportunity to bounce back right away due to changes in the tournament format and schedule, ultimately finishing the year as a champion.
“Nakatulong talaga 'yung sakit nung last campaign namin sa akin. Sobrang sakit kasi talaga ng pagkatalo na 'yun sa amin. 'Yun na lang ginawa kong motivation. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ngayong taon na last year ko na sa high school babawi ako. Pinagtrabahuhan ko 'tong season na to araw-araw. Kahit nung nasa probinsya ako, hindi ako natigil sa pagtatrabaho. Worth it naman. Nagbunga naman yung pinaghirapan ko,” Cargo said.
Despite the challenges of adjusting to a new system on a short turnaround, it did not take long for Cargo and the Squires to find their groove this season.
“Yes, challenging siya nung una. Bagong coach. Pero habang patagal nang patagal nakukuha namin yung gusto niyang sistema,” he said.
For now, Cargo is spending the holidays in more ways than one, while hoping to be find his new home in a promising collegiate program.
“'Pag palarin o mabigyan ng chance, iga-grab. Pero wala pa namang kumukuha sa akin. Kung saan ko man ma-show 'yung talent ko doon ako pupunta. Sa ngayon, masaya akong uuwi ng probinsya ngayong pasko dahil dito sa championship.”
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
