By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Negrense basketball superstar Heinz Gabriel “Kobe” Demisana proved he is worth the hype after leading the University of the Philippines Integrated School Junior Maroons (UPIS) to a 101-94 overtime win over the University of the East (UE) during the opening game day of the 2023 UAAP Season 85 boys’ basketball tournament last January 16.
Facing a delayed debut in the UAAP juniors rank due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Demisana relished his first game wearing the maroon jersey and immediately made an impact after filling the stat sheets.
The pride of Pontevedra, Negros Occidental handed UE a basketball clinic when he dropped 17 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, four assists, and two steals.
Demisana played a huge role in the second half of the nip-and-tuck affair as he anchored the UPIS defense while running plays in the offensive end.
The former Bacolod Tay Tung Thunderbolts center also became UE’s matchup problem down the stretch as UPIS turned to him at the post, backing down his defender for easy deuces while keeping his eyes open for quick kick-out passes whenever he received quick double teams.
Backstopping Demisana for UPIS was explosive scorer Basty Jacob who contributed 19 big points, nine rebounds, and four steals.
“Yung panalo naming masaya dahil since 2020, iniintay po namin ito especially sa kagaya ni Kobe na rookie, first time niya to experience this. We wanted it more,” said UPIS head coach Paolo Mendoza.
Demisana was once tagged as the Nikola Jokic of Western Visayas high school basketball due to his high IQ on both ends of the floor.
The six-foot-eight skilled big man also once made it to the Asia Pacific selection during the Jr. NBA Global Championship in Orlando, Florida.
The Ilonggos will never forget Demisana after spearheading Tay Tung’s comeback victory against the Iloilo-based St. Robert’s International Academy last 2019 NBTC Western Visayas Regional Finals held in Ibajay, Aklan.
Tay Tung went down by as much as 20 points in the first half but Demisana’s efficient performance helped turn things around in the last two-quarters of the championship match.
