Right after Game One of the NCAA Seniors Basketball Finals, Topex Robinson expected to have a full lineup at his disposal in their win-or-go-home encounter against the San Beda Red Lions on Monday. Of course, he had former league Most Valuable Player CJ Perez back for the game.
However, disaster struck for the Pirates last Friday.
During their practice, Jayvee Marcelino was so frustrated with the way the session was going that he kicked a cemented part of their gym.
“Nung nagtre-training kami, na-frustrate ako. Hindi ako makadepensa nun at nagtu-turnover pa ‘ko. Wala akong maisip nun, nasipa ko yung semento,” recalled the 5-foot-9 combo guard.
“Nung pagkasipa ko namaga. Wala akong ibang maisip nun kaya sa sobrang frustrated ko, nasipa ko.”
The swelling did not subside until Game 2, causing him to miss the game.
Lyceum badly missed Marcelino’s services of the game.
Without Marcelino – who is averaging 6.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game – Spencer Pretta and Reymar Caduyac had to play extended minutes. Pretta, who averaged 11 minutes per game prior, logged in 18 minutes, while Caduyac figured in foul trouble after clocking in 24 minutes, averaging 18.5 minutes prior. The two combined for just seven points and just one steal.
And Marcelino was filled with regret as he watch his teammates get pounded by the San Beda Red Lions, who once again dashed their championship hopes.
“Sobrang sakit. Pinapanood ko sila, wala akong magawa para mahabol yung kalaban o kaya maka-depensa man lang ako,” the 23-year-old expressed.
“Siyempre masakit yun bilang player. Gusto mong makatulong lagi sa mga teammates mo.”
And Marcelino will make sure that he learned his lesson from this.
“Sa akin naman, sobrang lesson learned sa amin ito. Dalawang championship na na natalo kami at wala pa kaming panalo,” he pointed out.
“Siguro, mas paghahandaan pa namin games namin. Lahat ng kalaban namin, iisipin namin na mas malaki sila.”
