NCAA S93 Juniors Basketball Morning Rundown: Sometimes, transferring is for the best

(Photo Credit: SPIN.ph)

I remember receiving a phone call last year around May, with a source telling me that Will Gozum was included in San Beda's line-up for Adidas Uprising. Obviously, I was surprised at what I had just heard. It wasn't because Gozum was likely going to be a Red Cub come the NCAA season. I put down that phone call astonished because of the very fact that the former Batang Gilas standout was going to transfer out of the UP Junior Maroons.

The very concept of transferring schools is something that is frowned upon in the basketball community. Carlo Pamintuan wrote this terrific piece on Soc Rivera a few years back, detailing what Rivera had to go through after countless transfers to schools. Not only did the public look at Rivera with judging eyes, but his overall performance as a player suffered as well.

You don't just become a player who is given raised eyebrows by fans when you decide to transfer. A player puts himself in the risk of losing everything that he had worked for before since by virtue of changing schools, his entire dynamic changes as well. Different teammates. Different system. A low sense of security.

In Tuesday's set of games, two other notable transferees played, in La Salle Greenhills' Inand Fornillos (formerly of UST) and Albert Bordeos (formerly of San Beda two years ago, and the year previous, UST). The former SLAM Rising Star in Bordeos has had respectable performances as a Greenie ever since he made the jump to La Salle, but it's Fornillos who truly wowed in his first game as a La Sallian. He only transferred to La Salle last month, yet he already managed to put up huge numbers. 

For Gozum? He's undoubtedly Mapua's best player. He's established himself as the best center in High School basketball today. In UP, he would have been overshadowed by the Gomez de Liano brothers. Will took the leap to Mapua, doubters, and haters be damned, and managed to make it big. 

Sometimes, taking that leap will only do you good. Fornillos and Bordeos are starting to write a new chapter in their lives as basketball stars. Gozum has established himself in ways he couldn't in Mapua. There will still be those who will frown upon the concept of changing schools, but these players will let the results speak for itself. Let's head on to the rundown.

Tuesday scores

La Salle Greenies def. Perpetual Help Junior Altas 64-60

Lyceum Junior Pirates def. JRU Light Bombers 94-87

Mapua Red Robins def. Letran Squires 91-75

Notable Performances

Inand Fornillos (LSGH): 22 points, 17 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks

Jielo Razon (UPHSD): 11 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 7 turnovers

Vincent Cunanan (LPU): 23 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists

Mac Guadana (LPU): 19 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals 

Clint Escamis (MU): 18 points, 6 rebounds. 6 assists

Will Gozum (MU): 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks

The Rundown

1. Inand Fornillos, have yourself a monster debut. There were fears that La Salle wouldn't be able to contend for a Final Four slot because they no longer have a monster star like Troy Mallillin,  but it looks like the Greenies has found its monster in Fornillos.

2. On that note, La Salle actually played poorly to start their campaign this season. Bordeos and Fornillos are incredibly talented individuals, but they need some help. Joel Cagulangan was alright, but veterans Joshua David and Ladis Lepalam were incredibly underwhelming for La Salle.

3. Just like their older brothers in the Seniors' Division, the Lyceum Junior Pirates look like darkhorse contenders for Season 93. Mac Guadana is the most familiar name of that bunch, but Vincent Cunanan has been someone to look out for as well. 

4. As a follow up to point number three, Erlan Umpad, please show that you're not just another six foot seven monster who's all height. Don't let down those who are including you into the "Future of Philippine Basketball" conversations. Be a Kai Sotto and AJ Edu in this world full of Ethan Kirknesses and Jay Pangalangans (still hoping they progress though!)

5. After a shaky start to their back to back bid, looks like Mapua has it all figured out. Big part of that have been Clint Escamis and Will Gozum, who are easily MVP contenders as early as now.

6. A combined six blocks by Gozum and partner-in-crime Warren Bonifacio. Good luck scoring on that Juniors Basketball Sampayan Brigade (Fans wait for Sam Abu Hijleh and Germy Mahinay to accept this challenge.)

7. Completely random note here: There are so much players in the NCAA Juniors Division who are named Kobe (or somewhere close to that). There's Kobe Camarillo, Kobe Monje, and the best one has to go to Koby Bryan De Leon. Arellano Chiefs assistant coach Anton Altamirano puts it best:

Pinilit ng tatay lol

— Anton Altamirano (@blazerboy11) July 6, 2017