WITH the second round of the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball wars in full swing, a six-foot-three Fil Jordanian emerged as one of the top players in the roster of the San Beda Red Cubs.
Sam Abu Hijle leads the Red Cubs with his averages of 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds. He’s the San Beda player who’s given the most playing time on the floor with 22.5 minutes per game.
A former football player back in elementary, Abu Hijle gives credit to his coaches and his teammates for his good showing the past three years.
“We’re having good wins because of team effort. Nasa teammates and coaches ko ito. Sa tiwala nila sa akin,” said Abu Hijle after a game at The Arena in San Juan.
He played his best game of the season, with 30 points and 14 rebounds, when the Red Cubs smashed the San Sebastian Staglets, 74-66.
Seventeen-year-old Abu Hijle and his six-foot-six teammate Germy Mahinay are considered the towers of strength of the Red Cubs in their quest for an eighth straight championship.
With their intimidating presence underneath, the Red Cubs managed to fight their way to the top of the standings to emerge as finals contenders again.
Other than the pair, Joshua Tagala, Eduardo Velasquez, Robi Nayve and Carlo Obenza are among the players who provide the numbers for the Red Cubs.
Tagala norms 12 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 steals, while Velasquez can give 8.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.
The Red Cubs are not unscathed this season. Their loss to the Arellano University Braves, 93-90, denied them a sweep of the eliminations and an outright seat in the championship. They will have to fight for a Final Four seat to get to the finals this time.
“With our standing, we’re OK although we let one game slip past us. Kahit paano, dikit ang game. But we let it slip past us,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison.
But the second round has proven to be tougher.
“Iba na ang preparation ng mga team sa second round, mas intense,” said Sison.