Buboy Mangubat’s strong showing for Mapua a result of hard work

Published March 3, 2024 9:59am

Updated March 3, 2024 9:59am

Buboy Mangubat is one of Mapua University’s top performers in the ongoing NCAA Season 99 juniors basketball tournament.

In eight games, Mangubat already posted averages of 20.0 points, 6.25 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. 

However, the Grade 12 student-athlete’s showing is hardly surprising for head coach Yong Garcia.

“Si Buboy, gumigising siya ng alas-tres ng madaling araw para mag-extra shooting sa Mapua. Minsan natutulog ng 12 or 1 in the morning dahil sa shooting. ‘Yung reward sa hard work niya is lumalabas sa games. Hopefully ma-sustain niya ito hanggang dulo,” Garcia said after Mangubat’s 25-point outing against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA last February 25. 

(Buboy wakes up at 3 a.m. to do some extra shooting in Mapua. Sometimes, he sleeps at 12 or 1 am for shooting. The reward of his hard work is showing in his games. Hopefully, he sustains it until the end.)

Mangubat previously played in Cebu under coach Edsel Vallena who is a close friend of Garcia.

“Actually ang daming [teams ang] kumakausap sa kanya. ‘Yun nga, dahil sa palabra de honor ni coach Edsel Vallena at ni Buboy nung una siyang nag-commit sa amin, talagang pinanindigan nila na coach, sa’yo kami,” said Garcia. “I’m happy na nakakilala ako ng ganung klaseng tao.”

(Actually there were a lot of teams who were talking to him. However, coach Edsel Vallena and Buboy stayed true to their word that they will commit to us. I’m happy I know those kinds of people.)

Mangubat also said when he was playing in Leyte, Kobe Caballero of Mapua was also someone he knew so he chose to play for the Red Robins.

Loyalty aside, however, Mangubat still wants to prove something for the Red Robins.

“‘Di pa ako masyado satisfied kasi ‘di ko pa nailalabas ‘yung totoong kondisyon ko talaga, pero puso lang. Lahat ng sinasabi niya (Coach Yong), pinapasok namin sa utak namin,” said Mangubat.

(I’m not yet satisfied since I haven’t shown my true condition yet, but I’ll just show my heart. I put in my mind what Coach Yong is telling us.)

—JKC, GMA Integrated News