Even Chris Hubilla would admit to being a journeyman even before he could play in his first game in college feels kinda weird.
But now that he’s found a home in Mapua, the 6-foot-4 slotman is looking to stay in Intramuros for good.
“Kahit maraming struggles, nagpalipat-lipat ako, happy pa rin ako kasi tinanggap ako dito sa Mapua,” he said.
Hubilla, a former NCAA Juniors Mythical Team member with San Beda, has had a rough start to his senior career, first committing to the University of the Philippines before having a change of heart and moving briefly to Letran before finally settling down at Mapua.
But this expedition really could’ve been avoided in the first place as Mapua heavily tried to recruit him way back in high school.
“Dapat matagal na namin siyang kasama,” Cardinals assistant coach and Red Robins mentor Yong Garcia said.
Hubilla feels at home at last
Despite Hubilla’s flip-flopping, the Sorsogon native is intent on making his mark as a Cardinal.
His first game was strong proof of that, notching 17 points, nine rebounds, and two assists in Mapua’s 75-67 win over LPU to start their campaign in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup.
“Walang inuurungan itong batang ito, kaya nga tawag sa kanya sa kanila is Bato,” remarked Garcia. “Masaya kami sa career niya at mas masaya kami na kasama na namin siya.”
Hubilla may have already gone through a lot in his young career, but one thing that he looks forward to is proving that Mapua didn't err in taking him in.
“Marami pa akong kailangan matutunan at alam kong kailangan naming lahat yun trabahuin sa ensayo. Magsisikap lang ako dito,” he said.
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