BACOOR CITY — Playing In his first playoff match in the MPBL, Michael Mabulac was having mixed emotions of excitement and nervousness.
“Sobrang pressure. Actually ayaw ko talagang ipahalata na kinakabahan ako everytime na pinapasok ako.”
Sure it did not look like that he was nervous and all that, as he posted a huge double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds on top of two assists and a blocked shot.
Most importantly, he helped second-seeded Bacoor crush the visiting seventh seed GenSan-Burlington, 95-72, to take a 1-0 edge in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan South quarterfinals at the Strike Gym here, Wednesday night.
And when the Warriors threatened to come back, slicing a once 22-point advantage to just 11, 74-63, the Jose Rizal University alum kickstarted a 10-2 burst, contributing seven points on three inside baskets and a freebie to restore order, 84-65 at the 4:16 mark of the payoff period.
But Mabulac deflected all those points to reigning MVP Gab Banal, who dished out 11 assists in the contest.
“Lahat ng score na ‘yon, credit kay Gab lahat ‘yon kasi siya ‘yung nag-assist sa akin noon. Nung fourth quarter, alam na namin ‘yung gagawin namin, eye-to-eye contact na lang.”
The burly 6-foot-4 big man relishes having teammates in Bacoor to lean on, unlike last season in Laguna — his previous team — where he had no reinforcements.
Last Datu Cup, Mabulac averaged 14.28 points, 11.28 rebounds, and 1.48 blocks. They barely missed the post-season at 10-15, though, just good for the ninth spot in the South.
“Nag-prepare talaga ako para sa playoffs na ito kasi last year, buhat talaga eh. Ginawa ko ang lahat pero kinapos pa rin,” lamented Mabulac.
“This time, every game, mas mataas ‘yung kumpyansa ko na mananalo kami kasi kada laro, mayroong isang player na puputok sa amin. Hindi lang naka-asa sa isang player.”
In the other quarterfinals matchup, third seed Basilan-Jumbo Plastic dominated sixth seed Iloilo, 83-68.
Story by Justin Valencia
Photo by Nicks Hernandez
