In the midst of the numerous changes that the NCAA three-time defending champion, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, has undergone in the offseason, Kurt Reyson has found himself at the forefront, leading a brand-new Knights squad hoping to secure its fourth straight title.
Reyson’s captaincy got off to a rocky start as the Knights fell to the season-host Jose Rizal University in an 85-79 overtime thriller on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Reyson led the Knights with 18 points and four assists, but he was limited to only five points in the second half and committed seven turnovers that ultimately proved crucial in the Knights’ loss.
Although the defeat left a bitter taste, the 5-foot-10 senior guard chose to find a silver lining—it happened on opening day.
“Wake up call sa amin to, sa amin lahat, lalo na sa akin. May mga error din ako nagawa, daming turnovers,” he lamented.
“Trabahuin na lang namin yung mga turnovers namin at yung excecution ng mga plays para maayos namin, kasi lahat ng mga kalaban namin competitive talaga, hindi talaga puwede kaming magrelax sa lahat ng mga laro namin.”
Reyson also stressed the importance of uniting his squad both on and off the court, a piece of advice emphasized by both former captain Fran Yu and former coach Bonnie Tan.
“Madami naman silang iniwan sa akin na mga tips, tulad ng mga bonding namin dapat lakihan pa namin yung bonding namin, pagsasamahan namin as a team on and off the court, kasi doon nagsisimula,” said Reyson about Yu, who was the Finals MVP of Season 95.
“Dapat magsamasama hindi puwedeng watak-watak.”
