Some leaders are born naturally while others are made.
Adamson University guard Joem Sabandal is discovering the latter as he is being groomed by Coach Nash Racela to be the key man for the Soaring Falcons with Jerom Lastimosa out indefinitely.
The former Baby Falcons standout started slowly but finished strong against University of Santo Tomas, leading Adamson to its first win—a 79-76 overtime victory—in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
“Yun nga yung sabi ni Coach Nash (Racela) na we were so lucky we survived the game. Good thing na nangyari sa fourth quarter and sa overtime was nagtulungan kami as a team,” said Sabandal.
“Kumbaga dun makikita yung mga attitude namin pag dikdikan na. We’re so happy na nangyari din sa amin ito. Happy and we’re lucky na wala din yung FSA nila.”
Sabandal failed to convert a single basket in the first 39 minutes and 54 seconds of the game. However, he suddenly came to life in the last 5.2 seconds of regulation and during overtime. He scored two points to give the Soaring Falcons a slender 68-66 edge and then added seven points in Adamson’s 9-2 run in overtime that sealed the win.
Leaders show up when it matters, and on Wednesday he did just that.
“Si Coach Nash nagpakalma sa akin,” said Sabandal. “As a veteran, marami na kaming games na ganun. Nung nakalamang kami ng two points, nagrelax kami. Parang naka-tie sila so and then after that, sabi ko relax lang kami kase hangga’t wala pang buzzer, di pa tapos yung laban.
“Yun nga yung sa overtime, Coach Gilbert (Lao) sabi niya na parang we were so lucky na nakapag overtime kami and then sabi niya sa akin ayun na, atin na to.”
College basketball is all about players stepping up when the main guns are out of the picture. It remains to be seen when or if Lastimosa will return for Adamson this season. While the 2023 SEA Games gold medalist is out injured, his teammates need to rise to the occasion while he is out.
Racela hopes that this will be a sign of things to come for Sabandal. The former TnT Katropa mentor wants more consistency in leadership from his young stud. It is up to Sabandal to become the leader Adamson needs him to be.
“Well, again, sabi ko nga sa inyo, the challenge is nasa kanya. It’s all his for the taking. At least today, he was able to deliver. Not so consistently because nung first half, inis na inis ako dito nung halftime because I was expecting more from him especially you mentioned about leadership,” said Racela.
“Dapat hindi nagsa-slack off ang mga leader. Buti na lang nakabawi siya nung second half. Again. he’s growing as a player (and) as a person. I have to remind myself that I have to be patient, not just with Joem but with everyone else.”
