ADMITTING his mistakes and taking to heart the lessons he learned, Letran ace rookie Jimboy Estrada is staying positive, knowing the Knights need him in their title bid in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament.
The prized freshman returned in Letran’s 101-98 double overtime decision over San Sebastian last Tuesday after serving a one-game suspension.
Estrada was meted a one-game ban last Oct. 13 in the Letran-Perpetual duel after he was slapped with two technical fouls which resulted in an ejection.
The ban means Estrada, 22, will be ineligible for individual awards like the Rookie of the Year and the prestigious MVP plum.
Estrada redeemed himself with a career-high 30 points along with seven rebounds and five assists as the Knights snapped a three-game losing skid.
“Una sa akin, masakit talaga sa akin, naiyak pa nga ako after ng game namin na iyon kasi first time nangyari sa akin saka hindi ko rin ginusto,” Estrada said.
“Iyong time na nag-huddle iyong Perpetual, nagulat ako kay ref na bigla niya akong pinush. Nagulat ako, inalis ko lang, kasama pala sa rules iyon. Wala naman sinabi sa akin iyong ref,” the 6-foot cage added.
The country’s oldest collegiate league yesterday called off games at The Arena in San Juan due to Tropical Storm “Kristine.”
“Please be informed that the NCAA basketball games for tomorrow, October 23, 2024, are postponed due to inclement weather,” the NCAA said in a statement.
Lyceum and College of St. Benilde were set to face each other followed by the EAC Generals and the JRU Heavy Bombers tussle.
“Kinausap ako ni coach, sinabihan niya ako na maging positive lang ako, na kailangan ako ng team. Hindi puwedeng malambot iyong puso mo dito. Kinomfort ako ng parents ko na okay lang, nangyari na so tapos na. Lesson lang din talaga. Kasama talaga siya sa buhay,” Estrada said.
“Para sa akin, sobrang sayang iyon kasi hindi ko lang award iyon, award din iyon ng lahat ng naniniwala sa akin at sumusuporta sa akin. So, sayang lang. Siguro lesson learned na rin sa akin iyon tsaka sa mga players na napanood iyon. Hindi ko na siguro uulitin, sayang.”