From struggling to find minutes during the elimination round to being picked late in the 2017 PBA Draft, San Beda College’s graduating swingman Davon Potts made sure to to leave a lasting mark in his two final games as a Red Lion.
“This [championship] is a testament to show that no matter what you go through, no matter how much you have a downfall, you can always bounce back,” the Filipino-American recruit reflected after San Beda snagged the NCAA Season 93 championship, Thursday evening.
“Society tells you you are limited, but you have a choice. In life you always have a choice, either you go up or you go down.”
This year has been a struggle for Potts.
A season ago under coach Jamike Jarin he was the leading scorer for the Red Lions, but the 6-foot-2 scorer had to make a lot of adjustments under coach Boyet Fernandez.
An above-average offensive threat, Potts was limited to just 21.9 minutes during the elimination round, averaging just 6.7 points in his final year.
“What changed in me is a combination of character and attitude. I have mixed feelings. I mean it was really hard for me this year,” the 24-year-old said, “But it’s a great feeling.”
“Well, sa totoo lang, we’re giving everything to Davon. We support him all the way,” Fernandez added. “Siguro masyado lang na-pressure si Davon noong parating na yung draft, but if you look at the way he played after the draft, it’s a different Davon, it’s the Davon from last year.
“All of us decided that we’ll just support Davon.”
Still, Potts stayed patient. It eventually paid off with a huge send-off, as he posted norms of 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in the Finals.
All Potts wanted was the chance to give back to San Beda.
“I owe it to San Beda for bringing me here, just making sure that we live the legacy and continue the championship, and make sure that we have the winning culture here.”
He expressed that in his young career, considering all his doubters and naysayers, he found the need to always prove his worth. His second NCAA championship with the school that brought him back home is just the perfect way to shut them all up.
“All my career, a lot of people doubt me so I use that as motivation a lot,” he said.
“They doubt me but I always use that as fire, ever since day one. I always loved that, use that as fire and prove everybody wrong.”
As for the celebration of the two-time NCAA champion, he is delighted that his PBA team gave him the leeway to relish this moment — but he’ll get right to work first thing next week.
“I just texted Coach Alex Compton right now, it’s funny. He said report on Monday, he said he’s happy for me,” the incoming Alaska rookie expressed. “I won two championships with Cignal, I won two championships with San Beda, so this is just a moment to show that you sacrifice not for your individual stats, you sacrifice for the team and that’s what counts and you win.
“You have to win because that’s what counts, not individual stats.”
