HE WAS rising, then falling, then rising again to make the shots that mattered most.
Growling Tigers swingman Joselito “Jojo” Duncil rolled on to a hot start like the Tigers, registering 20.6 points per game (ppg) in UST’s first three outings that featured convincing triumphs against then defending champions Far Eastern University Tamaraws and pre-season favorite University of the East Red Warriors.
But as the low rated Tigers were drawing second-looks, Duncil turned out to be a disappointment after head-butting National University’s Dave Catamora in the first round. With Duncil out-of-sync, the Bulldogs snapped the Tigers’ winning run. To compound the woes, Duncil served a one-game suspension that contributed to a four-game losing skid for the Tigers to end the first round.
“Nagsisi talaga ako na ginawa ko “˜yun kasi imbes na makatulong ako sa team, nakadagdag pa ako sa problema,” Duncil told the Varsitarian. “Mayroong mga pagkakataon na umiiyak talaga ako dahil sa frustration, pero pinilit ko talagang bumawi.”
Still ailing from the effects of a long layoff and an illness, Duncil groped for form as he tried to regain his confidence. In the three second-round games he played, he waged a measly 5.3 points. He was sidelined for the other three games.
But the UST hotshot broke out of the slump just in the nick of time. Duncil found his scoring touch again and averaged 14.8 points in all the games that mattered most””the battle for third seed against the Adamson University Falcons, the Final Four upset of erstwhile second-seeded UE, and the breath-taking if not nerve- wracking championship series against the heavily favored Ateneo de Manila University.
Low profile, high hopes
The 23-year-old Duncil did not have an organized basketball training in high school which is a staple among the popular collegiate players.
“Simula bata pa ako mahilig na ako mag-basketball kaya dumadayo pa ako sa ibang lugar para makipag-basketball sa iba, “ Duncil said. “Ginawa ko” ˜yun para ma-improve ko lalo” ˜yung laro ko.”
After finishing high school in Pampanga, he braved Manila and went to UST, as advised by his relatives, and joined the Tigers as a walk-in applicant.
Back then, nobody knew that the Tigers already had the man who would lead them back to UAAP basketball supremacy.
During his second UAAP season in 2005, Duncil already showed signs of a Tiger leader, scoring 12.7 points a game despite UST’s dismal 4-10 win-loss record finish.
“Hindi ko masyado iniintindi kung marami man akong score nun,” he said in reference of his performance in Season 68. “I just played hard every time for the team.”
In Season 69, the Sociology junior finally staged his most-awaited breakout year. Together with slotman Jervy Cruz, he formed a fearsome inside-outside combination for UST as Duncil averaged 15.4 points and four rebounds per outing. His season-long brilliance earned him a slot to the UAAP-NCAA all-star game where he was named MVP.
Sense of urgency
With other UST vital cogs Cruz and Allan Evangelista fouling out in regulation of Game 3 of the UAAP Finals against the Eagles, Duncil showed nerves of steel down the stretch, nailing eight straight points in overtime to lead the Tigers to the promised land. He scored 18 points in that game to lead UST, earning the Finals MVP award in the process.
“Tinanggal ko “˜yung lahat ng kaba ko kaya nagawa ko kung ano ang dapat kong gawin,” Duncil said.
Pitted against the pesky Macky Escalona and the bigger Zion Laterre, the Pampanga native impressively remained motivated than distracted.
“Kapag magaling kasi ang bumabantay sa akin, lalo akong ginaganahang umiskor,” Duncil added.
Slowly earning a reputation as a crunch-time player, Duncil earned his stripes while converting the most needed baskets during the waning moments of a game.
In the second game of UST’s Final Four match against UE, Duncil beat Red Warriors’ bigmen Mark Borboran and Elmer Espiritu for an offensive rebound and a putback, while drawing a foul. His basket and free throw gave UST an 82-79 lead with 53 seconds left. UST held on for an 82-81 victory and a date with destiny.
“Plano ko talaga na kunin ulit “˜yung bola para kahit anong mangyari, may pag-asa kaming (UST) maka-score,” Duncil told the Varsitarian.
Asked about the mysterious decision of UE to suspend its star player, Bonbon Custodio, that branded UST’s entry to the Finals as the product of mere luck, Duncil is convinced that the Tigers would still win it even with Custodio around.
“Kahit naglaro pa siya (Custodio), matatalo pa rin namin sila (UE) kasi ang team namin hindi umaasa sa isa o tatlong players lang,” he said. “Lahat kami gumagawa para manalo kaya hindi “˜yun tsamba.”
For his final year with the Tigers next season, Duncil could only vow that he will do everything to help his team defend the crown.
“Talagang pipilitin ko na mag-champion kami ulit,” he said. “Lalo na ngayong nabigyan na ako ng mga awards, mas inspirado akong ipagpatuloy o lampasan pa “˜yung mga nagawa ko dati.”
When everybody thought that he would self-destruct, Duncil refused to give up. After all, success is not attained overnight, but by perseverance and composure during the bad times, then hitting the next clutch basket again.
