Mantilla finally captures elusive championship
by Jonas N. Panerio
DESPITE a successful collegiate career with the University of San Jose-Recoletos, and a one-and-done stint with the University of the Philippines, energetic point guard Jaybie Mantilla has failed to cross out a goal of his—winning a title.
He finally got to do that last week as he helped lead the Zamboanga Sibugay to a thrilling 89-80 victory over BYB Kapatagan in Game 2 of the Best-of-3 finals in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Challenge Finals at the Pagadian City Gymnasium on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021.
The spunky 5-foot-7 court general was eventually named Finals MVP after averaging 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, four steals and 2.5 assists.
“Every time I step on the court, my mindset is always set on winning a championship. Since my college days, I’ve never had the chance to be called a champion,” said Mantilla, who dropped 18 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and three assists in the title-clinching match.
“This Finals MVP award is just a bonus, although at the same time, I’m super grateful for it,” Mantilla said.
And to finally win a title—in a pro league at that—the Barangay Suba Sangguniang Kabataan chairman in Cebu City is on cloud nine.
“It feels like heaven. I wasn’t sure if I would still get the chance to become a champ. In college, my team went as far as the Finals but didn’t get to win it all the way,” said the 2017 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. MVP.
Mantilla, though, revealed that he had second thoughts about pushing forward with his basketball career after his mother passed away last October. However, he was inspired to keep on playing by the birth of his baby.
“My baby motivated me. Every day here in Pagadian, my girlfriend sends me a picture of our baby. I’m motivated every day,” he said.
As a public servant in his barangay, Mantilla posted on his Facebook account on Friday night, dedicating the crown to all affected by Typhoon Odette.
Cebu is one of the provinces in central Philippines gravely affected by the typhoon.
“Dedicate ko ang game namin sa tanan nga na apektohan ng bagyo #BangonCebu (I dedicate our game to everyone affected by the storm #RiseCebu),” he wrote.
