Hubert Cani was filled with frustration as he saw their chances slip from his very hands — literally.
Even though the Far Eastern University Tamaraws committed a bevy of turnovers on Wednesday evening, they had every chance to continue the frustration of the De La Salle University Green Archers, especially in the dying minutes of the final frame.
With 39 seconds left and FEU trailing by only three, 74-71, Cani — a transferee who played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles two seasons ago — tried to cross up Ricci Rivero. But Rivero, who has a good three inches of height advantage over Cani, was not perturbed, pickpocketing FEU’s floor general to force a turnover — one of the 29 turnovers committed by the entire FEU team.
“Ang tumatak sa akin nung last few plays eh yung turnover ko,” recalled the 22-year-old, who accounted for three turnovers in 24 minutes of game time..
“Pinagsabihan nga ako ni coach Johnny [Abbarientos] na nakita niya na parang inisolate ko pero alam niya na kung di ako pagod nun, baka sakaling na-shoot ko yun,” the first-year Tamaraw admitted.
“Pero nung nakita niyang na turnover ko sobrang fatigue factor pumasok na rin. Ang mali ko dun dapat nagpatawag ako ng ball screen para mas madali trabaho ko kaso ‘di ko na naisip yun kasi yun nga yung fatigue pumasok na rin.”
Helping break La Salle’s press is tiresome, as players have to continue pushing to break the halfcourt line. And once they do, they have to weave through a lot of picks to find themselves open.
Safe to say, it took its toll on Cani.
“Nakaka-frustrate yun kasi pwede na kami maka-score dun eh. Mali ko ‘yun,” the 5-foot-11 guard said as La Salle was able to escape with a 75-73 win.
Cani struggled during the first round of the eliminations, averaging only 4.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. But today against DLSU, he found his rhythm for the Tamaraws and tallied 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
It was unfortunate that it did not translate to a win, especially as turnovers got the best of them.
Still, Cani, who has been familiar with first-year FEU coach Olsen Racela ever since his days in the youth team, is keeping his head up and charging this to experience.
“Lesson learned para sa akin. Kasi mga ganoong [experience], kailangan kong i-convert mga ganitong moment eh so lesson learned to para sa akin eh,” Cani expressed. “Sinusuklian ko lang yung tiwalang binibigay ni coach Olsen sa akin pati sa playing time.
“Kailangan ko pang mag trabaho pa kasi di naman yun makikita sa isang laro lang.”
