Entering the season, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons were top-heavy. And even coach Bo Perasol admitted that.
“‘Di naman siya obvious, pero yung composition ng team namin would really answer that question. Most of my players, my starters, a lot of them are ball-dominant guys,” said Perasol. UP have former or current All-UAAP team members such as Juan Gomez de Liano, Ricci Rivero, and Bright Akhuetie, together with Gilas Cadet Kobe Paras.
With a team like that, someone needed to be the sweeper — the player willing to do the dirty work.
Saturday afternoon, former Adamson Soaring Falcon ace Jaydee Tungcab showed that he was willing to do the job.
Tasked to defend UE’s Rey Suerte — the league’s leading-scorer at 22.75 points — the 6-foot-3 swingman stuck to him like glue. The two-time CESAFI MVP had to work his way just to get shots up, but ended up only knocking down two of his 15 attempts.
As the final buzzer sounded, the one-and-done UE Red Warrior finished with just four points. Moreover, UP won the game, 62-56.
For his hard work, Tungcab earned high praise from Perasol and his teammates. Still, the 21-year-old Tungcab said that he simply stepped up because he was plugged into the starting lineup.
“Sinabi lang sa akin nung practice na starting five, nasama ako dun at ako raw tatao kay Rey Suerte,” said Tungcab, who himself had four points and two rebounds while going a plus-six.
“Ang naisip ko na lang, kung paano siya babantayan. Yung mga scout namin, tinulungan ako mag-aral. Alam ko, malakas siya sa right, mahina sa left.”
As an ace before at Adamson, Tungcab knows that not everyone can be one. With UP having plenty, he gladly took a step back so that the rest can flourish.
“Sa akin, medyo mahirap kasi ‘di naman ganun kadali dumepensa, pero tinanggap ko role ko para makatulong ako sa team ko.”
