If he ever gets another chance like that, Eriobu will definitely make the most out of it.
They may be sitting at the end of the bench for the most part, but when their numbers were called in the final minutes of what appeared to be a lost game for the Magnolia on Friday, they went all out.
Hotshots third stringers Joseph Eriobu, Russel Escoto, and Jed Mendoza didn’t waste their precious Finals minutes, even though it was initially supposed to be garbage time by the time they checked into Game 1.
Eriobu certainly made the most of that break.
He scored six points, including a jaw-dropping reverse layup against no less than seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, in an uprising that saw the Hotshots cut a seemingly insurmountable 94-74 lead to five, 100-95.
The Hotshots still lost, 103-95, but the late surge certainly sent a message that while Magnolia may look overmatched on paper, the team is in it to win it.
Gaining positivies in a loss, coach Chito Victolero found reliable players at his disposal that are ready to never give up, regardless of circumstance.
“We just wanted to feel na sana makapag-pahinga, kasi 'yun naman kailangan nila. And then nagkaroon kami ng chance. Third group did a very very good job makabalik kami sa dulo,” Victolero said after the match.
[RELATED STORY: Chito Victolero laments San Miguel 41-point second quarter that doomed Hotshots in Game 1]
Asked about his run in the crucial moments, Eriobu said he was simply ready.
Although it’s his first Finals appearance, Eriobu showed he has nerves of steel. After all, the 16th overall pick in 2016 has a wealth of playing experience under his belt here and abroad.
“'Di na ako bata para kabahan pa. Seven years na [akong] professional. Hindi naman sa pag mamayabang, kailangan matibay loob mo kasi hindi naman kami makakarating dito kung wala kaming ganon, wala kaming tapang,” said the SEA Games silver medalist with the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 team.
Come Game 2 on Sunday, expect Eriobu and the other shock troopers to be ready as they will ever be as the Hotshots look to even the best-of-seven finale.
Hopefully this time, they won’t come up short.