IF Jose Rizal University coach Nani Epondulan is to be asked, the Heavy Bombers will only go as far as Lawrence Mangubat will take them.
This comes after the possibility of losing Chris Hubilla for the rest of the season and with the Heavy Bombers smack dab in the race for a twice-to-beat spot in Group A of the NCAA Season 102 with a game remaining.
And Mangubat was up to the task after finishing with 19 markers in the Heavy Bombers’ 71-58 win over the Mapua Cardinals on Tuesday.
READ: JRU books quarterfinals seat as it sends Mapua to NCAA play-in
“Alam naman natin na when we talk about JRU, we talk about Lawrence Mangubat and Chris Hubilla. Since Hubilla got hurt, yung burden talaga ng leadership, yung offense at defense napunta talaga kay Lawrence,” he said.
“So, kung san pupunta si Lawrence, most likely doon pupunta sa team namin.”
Luckily for Epondulan, he has a player that’s brazen enough to take that huge responsibility of bringing the Heavy Bombers back to the promised land.
The Cebuano lefty is more than willing to take command, and he’s starting by setting the right examples during practices.
“Ni-ready ko lang sarili ko. Sa ensayo pinapakita ko lang sa kanila na deserve ko yun. Ready naman ako sa ganung situation at responsibilities para mag-lead. Ginagawa ko sa ensayo lahat yan,” Mangubat said.
“Sa ensayo talaga makikita e. Sobrang competitive ko talaga sa ensayo kahit sa scrimmage namin,” he continued.
“Physicality inuuna ko talaga para masanay yung mga kasama ko and yun nga, parang at the same time, preparation ko narin to papunta sa game. Napupush din ako sa limit sa game kasi sa ensayo ginagawa ko naman.”
What’s impressive is that he’s doing it with a hurt shoulder, something that he admits that is yet to heal fully but is well enough for him to power through.
“As of now medyo nagiging okay naman na ako, di pa talaga 100 percent pero kinakaya ko naman maglaro kasi gusto ko talaga makatulong sa team ginagawa ko lang yung magagawa ko para maipanalo yung team.”
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