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Ric Arlos |
By Ivan Saldajeno
SAN JUAN, MM--Many NCAA fans noticed the absence of EAC guard Jorem Morada from the lineup last season.
The former RP youth team player then revealed that he had to attend to his mom, who suffered from breast cancer.
"Kailangan ko siyang bantayan. Alam ko na din na may taning na ‘yung buhay niya. Kaya sabi ko kay [former] coach [Gerry Esplana] na hindi ako mapapa-lineup kasi ‘yung mother ko, may sakit," Morada said.
His mom eventually passed away, but right on her first death anniversary, the combo guard unleashed his best game of his college career and his team pulled off the biggest upset of the season as EAC romped erstwhile unbeaten Letran.
[Related Story: EAC hands Letran first loss in stunner]
[Related Story: EAC hands Letran first loss in stunner]
Morada dedicated the huge win to his mother.
"Nagdasal ako [sa simbahan] na gabayan niya ako kasi undefeated team ang kalaban namin. Sinabi ko, 'Para sa'yo ito,'" Morada explained what he did before the game.
Morada, who entered the game averaging just 3.5 points a contest, made 18 points, 12 in the fourth quarter including a pivotal four-point play, along with ten rebounds and three assists.
Morada's inspired game earned him the Accel-Quantum XVI NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week award, beating a number of players who also had impressive games including teammate Hamadou Laminou.