FOR a kid who came from rock bottom, no task is too daunting when it comes to fighting for his family.
Even if it means taking matters into his own hands during the most crucial moments of a game, Mapua rookie Chris Hubilla will do so without hesitation.
Having proven himself reliable in 14 matches and helping steer the Cardinals to the second seed in the NCAA Season 100 men's basketball tournament on an 11-3 record, the 'hugot' for Hubilla is too deep to go unnoticed.
"Lahat gagawin ko para sa Mapua kasi dito ko lang nakuha 'yung dati ko pang inaasam-asam na 'home'," the 21-year-old forward told SPIN.ph on Tuesday.
READ From San Beda to UP to Letran, Chris Hubilla finally finds home at Mapua
Hubilla grew up alone, what the folks would call an 'ulilang bata'.
An only child, he lost his mother at the age of three, and his father found himself another family to provide for.
Hubilla learned to knock on people's houses in their province in Bulan, Sorsogon for help, just to survive.
"Lahat yata ng trabaho nagawa ko sa Bicol, nag-laot ako, nag-boy ako sa mga bahay-bahay, para lang may matuluyan, may makain. Kinailangan ko isalba sarili ko, at maraming umampon sa akin, at ngayon, utang ko sa kanilang lahat kung nasaan ako," he shared.
That explains the rookie's grit to help Mapua end a 33-year championship drought.
Hubilla only tried his luck at Mapua last June, and he readily knew this is where he wants to spend the rest of his collegiate career at.
He didn't just find a home; he found a family.
"Naging komportable talaga ako sa kanila, tinreat nila ako as a valuable na tao, binigyan ako ng kompiyansa para malabas yung best ko," the 6-foot-4 rookie forward said.
Nomadic life
Before that, Hubilla explored other options, even committing to the University of the Philippines but leaving after a year. He checked out other teams as well, like Letran, and eventually decided to take a chance at Mapua's program.
He considers this his best decision yet.
"Wala na akong ibang hinahanap, hindi na ako lilipat, gusto ko dito magtapos ng college career. Hindi lang team ang meron ako dito, manalo-matalo, 'pag may problema, mga coaches, mga tito-tita ko [parents of other players], sila yung nagiging magulang ko," he said. "Tapos sila mga beterano, sila Clint [Escamis], yung guidance nila, nagkaroon ako bigla ng mga kuya."
Still learning his game, Hubilla is grateful coach Randy Alcantara trusts him enough to be among this team's leaders. And it boosts not just his morale on the court, but his outlook in life as well.
"Binibigyan ako ng chance maging lider dito kahit bago pa lang ako." Hubilla said. "Dahil dito, nagkaroon ako ng direksyon sa buhay. Wala naman nagpalaki sa akin nang maayos, dati, ayoko na mag-aral, tambay na lang. Dito, nagka-pangarap ulit ako."
Hubilla is also quick to repay the faith of Mapua and Alcantara. He is currently averaging 13.07 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists per game this season as the second leading scorer behind Cardinals star Clint Escamis.
Apart from chasing his hoops ambitions, Hubilla dreams of being part of the Philippine Coast Guard, a profession he admired growing up surrounded by bodies of waters in Sorsogon.
Hubilla pays it forward
He also shared that he's looking to come home during the holidays to reconnect with his kababayans, since he literally owes his life to the whole community that raised him.
"Pag-umuuwi ako, para akong artista dun, maraming batang lumalapit sa 'kin, inspired sila, pag maglalaro sa court, iinvite nila ako manood kasi mageensayo daw sila, gusto daw nila maging katulad ko," he shared.
That's why, he's never selfish paying it forward.
"Kahit gipit ako, sa maliliit na bagay, tinutulungan ko sila, binibigyan ko sila pagkain, pag may liga, nagssponsor ako ng jerseys nila," he said.
And every time he steps on the court, he carries not just the red and gold, but also the hopes and aspirations of the small municipality that saved him.
Hubilla added: "Mahirap na lugar lang kami, pero kung ano 'yung narating ko, para sa mga kababayan ko, gagalingan ko pa."
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