Joseph Sedurifa was a marked man last Friday, facing swarms of defenders for the entire regulation of Makati-Super Crunch’s Game Three face-off against Manila-Frontrow in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan North semifinals.
The 29-year-old combo guard was held to just two points on a horrid 1-of-9 shooting from the field at the end of the four quarters. But despite his poor production, Makati was able to keep in step with the second-ranked Manila and force overtime.
Locked in on getting Makati the last seat in the North Finals, the four-year pro shrugged off the rust and went ballistic in overtime, firing three triples which gave the Super Crunch-backed squad a 78-73 cushion with 1:17 left in the game.
“First to fourth, medyo nag struggle talaga ako e. Kaya ayun, inisip ko talaga na kailangan bumawi sa overtime. Sa akin, tira lang, tira lang talaga kasi wala ng bukas kapag natalo e,” said Sedurifa, who finished the game with 12 points, five rebounds, four blocks, and three assists.
However, Sedurifa almost went from zero to hero as he committed a five-second inbound violation which gave the Stars one final chance to snatch the victory. Luckily for him, Aris Dionisio could not convert on a triple which sealed the deal for Makati.
“Big mistake talaga yun, sobrang big mistake. Charge to experience na lang yun, wala kasi akong nakitang open e. So mas better na mag five seconds na lang ako kesa i-bato ko tapos maagaw, easy two or easy three sa kanila,” the product of Centro Escolar University explained.
“Lumabas talaga yung composure namin, yung unity namin, teamwork at trust lang talaga sa isa’t isa. Inexecute lang namin yung game plan, tapos nag re-group kami, nag usap usap kami na sa amin nay un e, nag claim na talaga kami na sa amin na yung panalo,” he continued.
“Savior. It’s the right word for Joseph [Sedurifa], he’s the savior of our games namin ng Makati,” said Makati head coach Beaujiing Acot, on the other hand.
With their momentum at a high, Sedurifa hopes to sustain it heading to its clash against a powerhouse San Juan squad who has not dropped a single game in the post-season.
“Continue lang namin yung ginagawa namin sa practice na walang magpapatalo, sa ngayon enjoy namin yung panalo namin tapos the next day ensayo diretso. Basta buo kami as a team, tiwala kami sa isa’t isa.”
Story by Jonash Dannug
Photo by Thel Suliva
