BENILDE starting guard Jhomel Ancheta knows what it feels like to suddenly find yourself with an opportunity you never expected.
Now, with the Blazers slowly getting depleted by injuries, the veteran guard is urging his teammates to make sure they are ready when their own moment comes.
Reigning two-time MVP Allen Liwag remains sidelined after suffering an Achilles injury before the season, while rookie Matthew Jucom sat out against the Heavy Bombers after hurting his hamstring in practice.
Raffy Celiz was also unavailable after sustaining a minor injury in practice, before Irele Galas went down with an injury during Tuesday’s loss to JRU.
With Benilde’s rotation getting thinner, Ancheta wants the rest of the Blazers to get thicker.
“Kung may nawala, may bagong darating,” told SPIN.ph.
“Dito nabi-build yung mga sumisikat na player,” he added after finishing with 18 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and two steals.
OPPORTUNITY IN DISGUISE
Ancheta knows these opportunities do not come often.
During his time with the CEU Scorpions, the guard found himself in a similar situation when their main guard Daniel Atienza was sidelined, leaving a void that Ancheta was ready to fill.
Instead of looking at it was pressure, he grabbed it.
“Doon mo makukuha yung kumpiyansa mo, basta i-grab mo siya and mag-focus ka,” he recalled.
That stretch became a turning point for the playmaker who realized he could handle the responsibility that came with having to step up.
“Parang grinab ko siya, and yun. Doon ako nagkaroon ng parang kumpiyansa na, kaya ko pala.”
Now, he wants his Benilde teammates to experience that same realization.
For Ancheta, the injuries may have taken away some of the team’s biggest names, but they also opened the door for players who have been waiting for their chance.
And when that opportunity arrives, Ancheta does not want them to let it pass.
“Sinasabi ko sa mga magii-step up na kunin nila, huwag nilang pakawalan. Kasi hindi natin alam kung kailan pa yung opportunity na mangyayari yan.”
NO STARS, JUST A TEAM
Benilde had already prepared themselves for a season where no single player would be expected to carry the team.
The 5-foot-9 floor general said that the attitude was established from the start of the year, with head coach Paolo Layug and consultant Charles Tiu giving players enough opportunities to build confidence across the roster.
“Start of the year pa lang kasi eh. Parang nag-uusap-usap na kami na wala ditong star player,” he said.
“Sila Coach Charles, nili-let go niya kami maglaro. Parang kino-control niya yung minutes namin para magkaroon talaga ng kumpiyansa yung bawat isa sa amin.”
That philosophy has become even more important as the injuries pile up.
Liwag’s absence already forced the Blazers to adjust. Then come Jucom, Celiz and now Galas.
“Una, parang like, may feel mo na bawas kayo eh. Parang the whole year nagsama-sama kayo, tapos bawas kayo eh,” Ancheta stressed.
Their first loss stings, especially with Benilde already missing several key players.
But Ancheta sees no reason for the Blazers to let the setbacks define their season.
“Step by step lang,” he said.
“Kung ano yung nandito sa harap namin, yun na yung nilalaban namin.”
Because even with the Blazers’ lineup getting shorter, Ancheta insists their championship aspirations remain unchanged.
“Pero kahit kulang kami, gusto pa rin namin i-prove na kaya namin mag-championship this year.”
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