Despite fall, JC still walks tall

Losing almost everything in the just concluded 69th UAAP cage season must be a harrowing experience for Ateneo’s JC Intal.

The shifty, high-flying Eagle barely lost the MVP trophy to Adamson’s Ken Bono in one of the most closely fought duels for the highest individual plum.

He then failed to steer the Eagles to their fourth UAAP crown after missing clutch shots in the deciding Game 3 of one of the most thrilling, dramatic title showdowns in the league history.

The Finals MVP, which was his for the taking had Ateneo won, would have been a big relief for his season’s MVP frustrations.

Despite all these, however, Intal said he had no regrets.

"Right now, I have no regrets, we did everything we could and we fought hard until the end," said Intal. "I’m very proud of my teammates and coaches despite the loss, I’m very happy we played the game the Ateneo way."

There was, of course, a feeling of disappointment knowing that he had just wrapped up his UAAP eligibility for the school that has nurtured him and helped transform him from a so-so player into one of the most exciting cagers in the league.

"I love this team and I love the Ateneo community," Intal said.

"I never questioned why God didn’t give us this championship. Maybe He has better plans for us. We will keep the faith, and we will never stop believing," he added.

And as he stepped out after a Thanksgiving Mass on a rainy Monday night in his final flight as a Blue Eagle, Intal could only look back over what might have been even as he looked forward to a bigger challenge and brighter future. — Joey Villar