After finals loss, NCR cagers could only move forward

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Losing the Palarong Pambansa boys secondary basketball title is one of the few dark spots in what has otherwise been a successful 2013 stint for the National Capital Region.

But for the boys who lost the crown to host Central Visayas before a wild and roaring crowd, the only thing now to do is to move forward.

NCR’s star point guard Renzo Subido, who had a lackluster performance in the team’s 66-70 setback, knows it all.

Sluggish start

“We relaxed a bit at the start of the game, we were unlucky and they pulled away early on,” said the 17-year-old who finished with a sordid 3-point output — all from the free throw line.

The former RP Youth Under-13 standout also took the blame for the squad’s crushing defeat.

“Personally, I take the blame for what happened. I had some uncontested shots that I did not make. There were also free throws I missed,” a crestfallen Subido shared.

Humbling experience

Like a fallen army troop lost in the complexity of defeat, NCR head coach Bernie Mercado gathered his boys and told them to keep their heads up for giving Central Visayas a run for their money.

“Coach told us to keep our heads up, yeah, we lost but it’s part of basketball, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,” he said. “We’re down right now but when you look at the bigger picture, this (loss) will help us more.”

With still a year left before he turns college, Subido takes NCR’s loss as a learning experience where he can gain positive things and be a better person.

“There’s more to life than basketball.”

“The important thing is lessons were learned so I’ll just have to take this lesson as a motivation and keep on playing,” quipped Subido. – Rappler.com