COMING from a championship culture in juniors play, Justine "Tebol" Garcia has been forced to learn a thing or two about patience as part of National University’s disappointing showing in UAAP Season 87.
Seen in the preseason to be a championship contender, the Bulldogs fell to a still-last-place 2-8 record no thanks to their third straight loss at the hands of University of the East.
READ: UE tightens grip on third seed after trumping NU
With their Final Four hopes dimming, the rookie guard is already in the process of accepting that he and his teammates are a work in progress.
This, despite the fact that had he committed to a different team, he might be in a better position.
“For me, walang regrets kasi ginusto ko 'to. I made the choice to be here. ‘Yung position namin ngayon, walang may gusto, pero ang importante, tuloy naming pinagtatrabahuhan,” he told SPIN.ph.
“Bilog talaga ang bola. Pero naniniwala ako na may growth ito para sa amin.”
Garcia actually received interest from squads such as Adamson, Ateneo, and the University of the Philippines after graduating high school as Finals MVP and Mythical Team member.
READ: Nothing peanuts with what this UAAP player accomplished this season
Fast forward to now, and the Soaring Falcons and Blue Eagles, both at 3-6, as well as the Fighting Maroons at 7-1, all boast of a superior record compared to National U.
Keep coming, no matter what
Still, the 20 year old continues to battle for the blue-and-gold, even delivering his strongest showing yet with 12 points, three rebounds, and two steals in their loss to the Red Warriors on Saturday.
It has taken time to get a grip on his game, and he's the first to say so.
“Nagulat ako sa atmosphere sa college, sobrang layo sa high school, and I didn’t expect it to be this difficult,” he said. “’Pag umuuwi ako sa amin, lagi ko sinasabi sa mga Kapampangan na nasa adjustment period pa lang ako, pero unti-unti nag-iimprove.”
Apart from coach Jeff Napa’s unwavering trust, Garcia is grateful for the guidance of his kuyas on the team.
“’Yung mga seniors ko, lagi nandyan. 'Pag may mga pagkakamali, hindi sila nagsasawa turuan ako. Si kuya Jake [Figueroa], 'pag nafu-frustrate ako, pinapaalala sa'kin na nagsisimula pa lang ako and gawin ko lang aral yung bawat talo,” he shared.
While where he is right now is far from where he would have wanted to be, the talented playmaker isn't about to stop believing in the potential the Bulldogs were supposed to have - even if it will, most likely, only get to be realized next season.
As he put it, “’Yung na-experience ko nung juniors, kailangan ko ma-adapt ngayon kaya nagiging patient ako. Malaki ang potential namin for growth."
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