HOPE still isn't lost on Chris Hubilla that somehow, by a stroke of miracle, he will still be given the green light to come back for Jose Rizal University this NCAA Season 102.
Nursing an MCL injury on his left knee, the 6-foot-4 forward remains optimistic on his potential return for the Heavy Bombers' title dreams.
"Alam nila na kulang sila, pero alam din nilang nandito lang ako para sa kanila," he told Spin.ph after JRU's 81-78 win over Lyceum of the Philippines U on Tuesday.
READ: Gutsy JRU back to winning ways after halting LPU's streak
Though unable to play on the court, Hubilla has made it a point to be a constant on the ears of his teammates, urging them to play their games in his lieu.
"Kinakausap ko sila na wag silang panghinaan ng loob kasi tiwala kami sa isa't isa," said the Bulan, Sorsogon native.
Much to Hubilla's delight, his teammates picked uo the slack particularly the frontcourt as the Heavy Bombers hardly showed the effects of his absence.
Ivan Panapanaan grabbed 12 rebounds that went with his 10 points, Allan Laurenaria also hauled down 10 boards to go with his four points, and Noel Agemenyi tallied six and six off the bench.
Even the guards have done their part to contribute, with Lawrence Mangubat grabbing five rebounds as Sanlea Peñaverde had his finest performance of the season by scoring 22 from six treys.
"Maganda pa rin yung naging resulta kasi handa yung team sa challenge. Ang ganda ng depensa namin at yung bench, handa din na lumaro today," stated Hubilla.
Yet as much positives as this victory brought to the team, coach Nani Epondulan admitted that JRU is missing a lot in losing "Bato."
"You cannot replace a Chris Hubilla," the mentor said. "Iba ang attention na nakukuha niya mula sa kalaban, on top of the leadership he provides in anchoring our defense."
Epondulan would also like to share Hubilla's positivity of making it down the line, but he's also realistic enough to acknowledge the cards that were dealt to the Heavy Bombers.
"Hoping pa rin naman kami," sharing that Hubilla is set to get a second opinion in two days' time. "Pero kaming mga coaches, syempre naghahanda na rin kami ng Plan B."
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