Jemal Vizcarra
Tiger Fulfilled

jemal_vizcarra.jpgHE WAS one bright spot during the UST Growling Tigers’ lackluster UAAP campaigns. A slasher and a three-point spitfire , he once led the Tigers in scoring in 2004 with 12.8 a game. But when his team finally regained fierceness, marching to the Finals, and winning the UAAP championship, Jemal Vizcarra could only cheer from the sidelines.
Nobody expected UST to drop its debut game against the inexperienced UP squad (92-94), more so lose Vizcarra, one of its offensive threats, for the entire UAAP season to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
He suffered injury when he suddenly changed direction in trying to shake off a defender, twisting his right knee instead. Vizcarra did not play the previous season due to academic deficiencies, but managed to register 14 points and four rebounds in his comeback and final UAAP game last July.
The Sociology senior tried to play through the pain, even scoring a triple to pull UST closer at 86-87 with a minute to go in the game. But his knee eventually gave out.
“Nasaktan talaga ako, hindi lang dahil sa injury, kundi dahil naisip kong hindi na ako makakatulong sa team,” Vizcarra told the Varsitarian. “Pinilit ko pa namang makalaro, pero bumigay na talaga nung fourth quarter.
With his premature exit from the Tigers’ roster, many thought it would plague the Tigers Final Four dream. But not Vizcarra.
“I never doubted my teammates and the team’s Final Four chances even without me around,” Vizcarra said. “Iniisip ko pa ngang magpagaling para makalaro ako sa Final Four, kaso ‘di nangyari.”
True enough, the Tigers survived their topsy-turvy UAAP bid, winning one important game after the other en route to the title.
“My teammates are all good,” Vizcarra said. “It was a good thing that what happened to me inspired them to play better.”
And although he missed playing during the Tigers’ banner year, Vizcarra still feel fulfilled having played for the University which stayed with him through thick and thin. The UST Hospital took care of all Vizcarra’s expenses for the knee surgery. It is also shouldering the six-month therapy that he is now undergoing.
“I had no regrets playing for UST because it (UST) gave me free education and the opportunity to enhance my skills at the same time,” Vizcarra said. “I am still fulfilled, kasi hangga’t kaya ko naman lumaban ako para sa UST.”

By Llanesca T. Panti



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