WHEN National U needed it most throughout the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament, Jake Figueroa has always been there to answer the call.
But on Saturday, with the Bulldogs' championship hopes hanging in the balance, coach Jeff Napa made the audible and gave the keys to Reinhard Jumamoy.
With La Salle clinging to a 74-72 lead in the final minute, the Cebuano guard went for a drive and, unfortunately for NU, lost his grip on the ball against the tight defense of Luis Pablo and Jacob Cortez.
READ: La Salle leashes top dog NU to set up another finals date with UP
It was a baffling decision for many, but one that Jumamoy is owning up to.
"Inako ko yung responsibilidad," he said. "Yun yung play, naghanap ako ng contact, may na-feel ako na contact, pero 'di yun yung outcome na nagustuhan namin."
But before anybody chastises Jumamoy, just know that it's not because he wanted to be the hero. It's just that the situation called for it.
"Pinupulikat na si Jake," Napa shared, even as top dog Figueroa did his best to keep the Jhocson side fighting.
And then, the 'next man up' mentality that Napa has fostered in this program kicked in.
NU era for Bulldogs
Yes, Jumamoy may have failed to deliver this time out, but that could also be seen as a proverbial passing of the torch for the Bulldogs - from one UAAP Juniors MVP to another - with Jumamoy now poised for bigger responsibilities and, we dare say, the King Bulldog role following Figueroa's graduation.
And the Lapu-Lapu City native is also opting to look at it the same way, stating, "Madadala ko yan sa future ko, sa future namin. Nakita ko paano ni-lead ni Jake yung team. So if given the opportunity, kung yun yung ibibigay na role ni coach sa akin, magiging ready lang ako."
You bet, these shortcomings are being turned to motivation, as National U's eyes were opened on what else needs to be done to make that leap to the next level.
"Siguro, ito yung step, ito yung dapat namin maranasan, parang step back sa amin para umangat and move forward sa susunod na season," said Jumamoy.
"Hindi ko ma-explain kung gaano kasakit yung nangyari sa amin ngayon, na hindi ko nabigyan yung mga kuya ko, isang fellow Cebuano kay Nash [Enriquez] na makapag-compete kami sa highest level ng Finals."
No one knows what the future holds, but Jumamoy is adamant that given the same situation once more, he promises the outcome to be different.
And that's exactly what the Bulldogs are driven to accomplish come Season 89.
As he put it, "Sabi namin ni Tebol [Garcia], babawi kami next year. Sana isapuso namin yung kung anong sakit na nararamdaman namin ngayon kasi hindi na namin hahayaan yun maulit."
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