EJ Sapasap, in his first two games as a Cardinal, has averaged 12.5 points on 70.86% true shooting and three rebounds per contest. 

Quite a small sample to be swirling claims, but the Tarlaquño rookie’s poise and production for the reigning champs might be a thrilling look into Mapúa’s already loaded season. And a bright future. 

Earl Jaeron Sapasap, Mapúa’s 21-year-old rookie hailing from Concepcion, Tarlac, co-led the Cardinals’ offensive in their season-opener against the LPU Pirates on October 1.

Tied with veteran big JC Recto, Sapasap dropped 16 points on a hyper-efficient 70% field goal shooting. 

He took 10 total shot attempts, draining seven of them; and was two-of-two from the free throw line with two rebounds and a steal. 

All that while playing only a little over half the ballgame, that is, 27 on-court minutes out of that 50-minute slugfest with the Pirates (regulation + two overtime periods) where they won by a whisker, 90-89.

In an interview with GMA Regional TV News, the NBTC Division 2 Most Outstanding Player said he did not expect such a scoring performance in his first ever NCAA game.

“Hindi ko po inexpect na makagawa ako ng 16 points. With the help ng mga coaches and pag inspire ng mga team mates ko, panatag naman po ako na may maitutulong ako sa kanila,” he said.

“Ginawa ko lang po yung best ko and yung mga tinuturo sa amin sa practice ay inapply ko naman po during our first game,” he added.

In Mapua’s second win– a scrappy 90-87 thumping of the Arellano Chiefs– the 6-foot-2 guard had less production on account of fewer playing minutes than in his debut game. 

Still, in that span of time, Sapasap tallied nine points on a 60% shooting clip while making three of his four free throw attempts, which was massive to the Cardinals taking advantage of their ‘championship DNA’ in outlasting Arellano. 

The rookie’s efficiency and poised decision-making do not only pass the ‘eye test.’ He was put through two varying usages and made the most out of those minutes with a stuffed stat sheet to back it up. 

“It’s really important for me po, because pangarap ko po talaga makapaglaro sa mga leagues na ganito– big leagues… Ang sarap po sa feeling na nakakalaro ko na yung mga seniors ko way back then pinapanood ko lang sila,” Sapasap reflected.

Very early in his rookie year, the versatile guard has already showcased an impressive arsenal of strengths: a strong body coupled with foundational footwork and fearless slashing capabilities.

Any back-to-back bid is never easy. In the case of Mapúa, they still are one of the heavy bets to dominate Season 101 given a robust core fronted by bona fide super star Clint Escamis, returning ace player Cyril Gonzales, and champion vets JC Recto, Cyrus Cuenco, and Yam Concepcion. 

But their title repeat chances definitely got stronger– and future brighter– with the arrival of Tarlac's son Earl Jaeron Sapasap.