By MARK REY MONTEJO
When the going gets tough, the veterans normally take the bold move and Harold Alarcon did just that.
Alarcon, 23, used his experience wisely and delivered clutch baskets to complete reigning champion University of the Philippines’ redemption win over University of Santo Tomas, 89-88, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
But for the Silay, Negros Occidental native it was all about the learning from the past that made him so focused and composed in the nerve-wracking situations.
“Actually sa five-year experience ko rito sa college… marami akong na-experience rito, kumbaga ‘yong composure nanatili do’n sa mga clutch moments na ganon,” said the two-time UAAP champion.
“Parang if you experience it, mafi-feel mo eh na hindi kana kinakabahan, hindi kana nagmamadali, parang nasa present moment kalang, slow mo lang, parang ganun,” he added.
The wily guard took over in the last three minutes of the fourth frame where he scored eight of his 22 points to spoil Collins Akowe’s super outing for the Growling Tigers.
“If you have a player na ganto, isang malaking relief sa team and seeing your team being able to respond kung si Harold man, o ibang teammate niya makagawa,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
“For a coach, masaya ako makita na may challenge sa harapan mo, paano mo siya overcome and being able to decide in those situation,” he added.
And aside from notching their third straight win and 7th overall in 10 games for a solo second, the Maroons exacted sweet revenge on the España-based squad after absorbing an 87-77 loss the first time they clashed this season.
For the Maroons, who dropped their first two games to start the season, the win a huge step towards earning a berth in the semis. It likewise enhanced its bid to secure one two twice-to-beat advantages.
“For me, having started slow kanina, being able to come back… defensively mukhang malaki rin ‘yong i-nimprove no’ng depensa namin. ‘Yong mga tough games na ganito, it would really prepare us for bigger games to come,” said Monteverde.
“Pini-prepare lang kami ‘yong mga experience na ganto mga future games namin, kumbaga ma-experience ulit namin ‘to hindi na kami manibago,” Alarcon added.
UP has four games left – against Adamson, Ateneo, La Salle, and University of the East – and it needs to win three more if it is to claim a semis slot. If the Maroons can go all the way, chances are they could secure a semis bonus.
