By NIKOLE JAVIER
James Spencer has decided to make use of his final year with University of the Philippines for a chance to redeem himself in Season 86.
The 22-year-old Spencer is hopeful that his last year for the Fighting Maroons will be instrumental in their attempt to reclaim the championship title just as it had belonged to them earlier this year in historic fashion.
“Yeah. I mean, I’ve been playing this whole season injured, so I’d like to get home and just fix that however long that takes. And then get back at it with the guys ,” said Spencer.
The 6-foot-4 forward will be coming home to Australia to recuperate from the injury he’s been enduring, and hopefully, put the loss behind him.
“It’s been a lot of work having two seasons in one year. It’s not the way we wanted to end but I wouldn’t let that take away from all the lessons that we’ve learned. And all the experiences that we’ve had. Like Zav (Lucero) said, all the friendships that we’ve built. That’s what we’re gonna take with us. These guys are gonna be brothers. It’s been a hell of a ride,” added Spencer.
For Spencer though, the experience trumps the heartbreak of not making the dream back-to-back championship title happen in the same year.
With the UAAP fully reverting to its old pre-pandemic format that student-athletes are accustomed to, he is glad to have a longer offseason — a time for healing and regaining the team back to its full health and coming rejuvenated to the next season.
“It still kinda feels weird that we lost. But I think super talented team, very talented team. I think it’s just at times, we just struggled to take advantage of that. And use all the pieces correctly. A lot of things to consider, I mean, we’re finally gonna have a whole offseason. So, a lot more time with the group, a lot more time to build chemistry, so I think we’ll be good. We’ll be back there again,” concluded Spencer.