By: Ohmer Bautista
When a team plays in their very own court, the usual pressure are brought to a much higher level.
However, in the tiff between Arellano University Chiefs and EAC Generals at the Arellano Gym, the stakes were a notch or even notches higher for the Chiefs as the game went into a five-minute extension — an unexpected overtime.
Given a chance to play in the penultimate quarter by his trusted coach Jerry Codiñera, 5-foot-7 Levi Dela Cruz casted the hero role upon himself and embraced the pressure-laden responsibility.
“I’m just very thankful kasi with post-[Kent] Salado, sumakit ulo ko,” admitted head coach Jerry Codinera as Salado tore his ACL last January. “Kasi problema na sa big man na saddled with fouls tapos rotation sa backcourt. Nag-overtime. It paid off yung shuffling ko sa guard position. Para hanggang sa dulo may hustle pa.”
“Ready lang ako pagbinunot ulit ako ni coach, mag-perform lang ako nang maigi, gawin ko lang ‘yung dapat ko’ng gawin para makatulong sa team,” the 23-year-old guard added.
Down by a solitary point, 68-69, with three minutes left in regulation, Dela Cruz picked CJ Cadua’s pocket, and hurriedly raced towards the cup to convert a go-ahed layup, 70-69. However, the Generals answered back to reclaim the lead. In the ensuing possesion, Dela Cruz shrugged off the pressure, and cooly drained a long bomb at the top of the key to take a two-point gap, 73-71.
With the Generals being unable to convert in their freebies, the spitfire guard took it upon himself one last time, fading for a short stab to seal the win for his team and the Arellano faithful.
“Masarap sa feeling na nanalo kami home court,” Dela Cruz beamed after he posted 12 points, seven of which came in the extension. “Nanalo kami sa overtime, crucial ‘yung game. Big shots rin ‘yung mga nagawa ko.
“Masaya ako at kahit papano nakatulong talaga ng malaki sa team namin na makuha talaga ‘yung panalo na to.”
Moreover, he also cited that there was a swirling joke online pertaining to his team that added fuel to his fire.
“Sobrang gigil na kasi lalo na yung lumabas sa memes na may sumpa raw kami. Sabi namin, mukhang kelangan na natin talagang makapagpakita sa first game natin,” he bared.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy pa. Sipag lang talaga. Gusto ko pang matulungan team namin kasi pangarap talaga naming makarating ng Final Four.”
