In their battle against Emilio Aguinaldo College for the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Tournament, Mapua University desperately needed someone to step up.
The Cardinals’ team captain Warren Bonifacio was battling a fever, which limited his minutes and effectiveness.
Fortunately for Mapua, Jopet Soriano had his best game of the season at just the right time.
The 6-foot-3 forward from Quezon City led the Cardinals in scoring with 15 points, grabbed six rebounds, and made his presence felt on the defensive end with four blocks.
What made his performance even more impressive was how little time he needed with the ball in his hands to score. With mainstays Clint Escamis and Paolo Hernandez running the show for Mapua, Soriano did his damage on the offensive boards and on runs to the rim, where Mapua’s guards found him for easy finishes.
For Randy Alcantara, Soriano’s play was reminiscent of former San Miguel Beerman Alvin Teng, who also did not need the ball in his hands to be effective.
“Kino-compare ko nga siya kay Alvin Teng.
“Siyempre yung mga time ko pa yun napapanood ko. Kahit hindi mo bigyan ng play, rebound pa din ng rebound. Tapos, yung depensa, yung presence niya. Siya talaga yung matatawag ko na role player na talagang lalaro lang, pero di mo napasin nakaka damage na. So yun, malaking credit talaga kay Jopet ngayon. Kahit may sugat o kahit matamaan man siya, basta nandyan siya, lalaro lang yan,” said Alcantara.
For Soriano, it was an honor to be compared to the man known as ‘Robocop.’
But he credits his off-season work which led to his productive output so far.
“Simula palang sa mga offseason leagues namin yun na yung parating sinasabi ni Coach, na dapat ready kami pagdating ng NCAA kasi dikitan talaga yung laban,” said Soriano.
“Dapat stay ready talaga.”
Mapua will need the hardworking big man’s services again on Wednesday as they face the defending champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran at 4:00 p.m. in the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
