If there is one lesson that Wacky Ludovice learned in the past few days, it is that he needs to do his laundry.
Ludovice missed the UST Tiger Cubs’ 90-84 win over the UPIS Junior Fighting Maroons last Wednesday because he did not get his jersey back in time after it was sent to a laundromat.
The 16-year-old point guard, though, made up for a hilarious incident in a big way by leading the Tiger Cubs in their 82-81 squeaker against the FEU Baby Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 86 Boys’ High School Tournament Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Due to what happened to him a few days ago, the reporters and his fellow interviewees — teammate Carl Manding and coach Manu Iñigo — could not help but allude to that past situation.
“May jersey na siya,” joked Iñigo while a reporter asked, “Okay na yung laundry mo ah?”
It was a unique incident to begin with. Players normally miss games due to injuries and suspensions, not because their apparel could not be recovered from the laundry service.
For everyone else, it may be a funny thing but for the man himself, there was a sense of frustration.
“Nung nawala po yung laundry ko, na-frustrate ako kasi gustong-gusto ko maglaro nun dahil first game ko sa SM MOA Arena nun,” said Ludovice. “Parang gusto ko makatulong sa team ko.
“Yung sa ngayon po, sobrang proud din ko sa sarili ko at sa teammates ko dahil maganda yung napakita namin dahil champion team yung nakalaban namin. Nakuha pa rin namin yung panalo and laki ng effort na binigay namin.”
The former San Beda Red Cub was just happy to help his team defeat the defending champions. In his return from the laundry incident, he tallied 25 points, four assists, and two steals.
It was the best way for him to mount a comeback. UST is targeting to be a title contender this season and what better way to announce it to the league than beating the current title holders?
“Sobrang proud ko po sa team ko po at sa mga coaches ko dahil kahit galing po sila sa malayong venue po ng game, nag-e-effort pa rin sila magpunta po,” said the 5-foot-7 Ludovice.
“Yung sa teammates ko po, sobrang laki ng tiwala nila sa akin. Simula pa lang po, na-e-execute na po kami nang maayos at nag-she-share kami ng bola.”
After enjoying his breakout game this season, Ludovice simply wants to carry on for the Tiger Cubs this season. He wants to emulate his older brother Yvan, who won championships as a Red Cub and Red Lion for San Beda in the NCAA.
He would love to emulate his sibling’s success and knows that he needs to be a consistent performer for UST this season for that to happen.
“Sobrang laking blessing talaga and opportunity ito sa akin dahil dati po nanonood lang ako ng mga PBA games at sa kuya ko po,” said Ludovice.
“Sa NCAA niya po dati, maliit na bata lang ako nun, gustong-gusto ko sumunod sa kanya at natutupad naman po.”
