IN Harold Alarcon the Fighting Maroons will always trust.
University of the Philippines’ super senior came up clutch once again, knocking down the go-ahead jumper with 24.3 seconds left and sealing the deal with a game-clinching steal to deny University of Santo Tomas, 89-88 — the Fighting Maroons’ third straight win in the second round.
Alarcon dropped 22 points on an efficient 9-of-18 shooting, while adding five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
READ: Alarcon wills UP to vengeful triumph over UST
As State U’s “Mr. Right” in Season 88 — one who’s done it right all season long — no one in the UP camp is even the least bit surprised at how Alarcon has taken charge in his fifth and final year.
Take Noy Remogat, for example. He also fired 19 points on a solid 7-of-14 clip, but there was never a doubt in his mind to leave it to Alarcon to finish the Growling Tigers off.
“Wala eh, beterano na eh. Aagawin mo pa ba ‘yun, ‘yung ganung sitwasyon, bigay mo na sa kanya ‘yun,” Remogat told SPIN.ph.
“Pang-limang taon na niya sa UAAP, dalawang championships, ‘yung experience na meron siya, ‘di mo na kailangang pagtakahan eh. Sobrang beterano na kaya kailangan mo na lang talaga magtiwala [sa kanya].”
Team captain Gerry Abadiano, who’s been with Alarcon since their National U-Nazareth glory days, always knew he was the one to call on to steady the ship whenever turbulence hit UP’s way.
“Kay Harold, ‘di naman na kami na-surprise sa mga nangyayari sa kanya every game. Lahat naman ‘yan, pinag-tatrabahuan niya,” Abadiano added.
“Proud lang ako sa teammates ko and si Harold kasi alam ko naman kung ano ‘yung trabaho na binibigay niya sa practice at kahit ‘yung mga extras na ginagawa niya before practice.
“Hindi talaga kami nagugulat sa kanya kasi pina-practice niya rin ‘yan talaga.”
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