BY the time Joaquin Tovera got to Taft in July, there seemingly wasn't much time left, as UAAP Season 89 was two months away and he had already started building a routine in Diliman.
From the outside, his decision to leave the University of the Philippines for La Salle looked like a move that came too late.
Tovera himself, however, didn't feel rushed. If anything, he thought he got there early enough.
"If anything, I actually joined them pretty early because I got to play in Japan with them, so I knew what I was capable of with my teammates," Tovera said, referring to the Green Archers' forays in the University Top League and World University Basketball Series in Saga and Tokyo, respectively.
That Japan trip gave the 5-foot-10, 18-year-old guard a headstart the calendar did not show.
He had already played alongside the green-and-white and started figuring out where he could fit. And by the time he officially had to do it under the bright lights and on the big stage, he was not meeting his teammates for the first time.
He was simply playing with them again.
Tovera back in action
The bigger adjustment was everything else, as Fil-Am Tovera came to La Salle without the traditional organized basketball background most UAAP players have.
So while his transfer may have been late, his basketball education at this level was still in its early stages.
"He is still very young in terms of terminology and understanding the system. He didn't have organized basketball experience before coming here, so he's realizing how different it is. His teammates are being patient with him and helping teach him," head coach Topex Robinson explained.
Yet Tovera's first UAAP game offered little indication that he was still figuring things out.
READ: Tovera makes immediate impact as La Salle repeats over NU
He scored 22 points and collected three steals against dogged National U, attacking gaps whenever he saw them and repeatedly getting himself into the paint.
"I just attacked them, playing with confidence. I saw a little opening, so I attacked the gaps, made layups, made free throws. Today was showing confidence, not making mistakes, consistent," he said.
There was some anxiety before the game for Tovera, but then came his first make.
"At first, I was a little nervous, but once I had one basket go in, I saw it like a 24-hour pickup. Just block out all the sounds and keep playing,” he said.
For Robinson, his confidence and coachability played part as to why the Green Archers wanted him in the first place.
The defending champions needed another piece who could support Jacob Cortez through a demanding season, particularly during the stretches when their lead guard needs rest.
"We are particular about who we want. The responsibility rests on Jacob, and we know he is,” their mentor said.
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