By: Ohmer Bautista
Despite all the headaches that JP Calvo and Bong Quinto have caused him early last year, Letran Knights head coach Jeff Napa continues to trust them.
And he re-affirmed this a week ago after Letran suffered a 75-78 hearbreaker against the Perpetual Altas.
The two made sure to repay their mentor in their second game.
In a blow-by-blow battle against the San Sebastian Golden Stags, Quinto and Calvo spearheaded the Knights’ attack, firing 17 and 16 points on efficient 57 and 55 percent shooting clips respectively. The former also added eight rebounds and four assists.
But behind their most recent success on the floor, the grizzled tactician confessed that in order to bring the best out of his trusted duo, he had to show them the way.
“Kinausap ko’ng dalawang beteran ko. Inadress ko sa kanila kung ano problema,” Napa shared regarding his actions after their disappointing curtain-raiser. “Pinakita ko sa kanila ‘yung bigger picture.
“‘Tong dalawang leaders, nagcocompliment sa mga teammates…’Yung teammates nila sumunod naman sila.”
For his part, the floor general Calvo shared that it’s been his teammates who have uplifted him.
“Kasi ang maganda lang dito nagtutulungan kami eh,” the fourth-year point guard said.
“Tinutulungan din nila ako kung pa’no sila dalhin. Kumbaga sa dulo, sila ‘yung kakapitan ko.”
Quinto, on the other hand, shows his utmost gratitude for the trust that his coach places in him and the team, which he believes he and the team have to repay by playing their hearts out.
“Sobrang thankful ako sa trust na binibigay samin,” the graduating forward expressed. “Si coach Jeff, kahit madami na kaming pagkakamali sa loob ng court, talagang ginagabayan niya pa rin kami every game, pinagkakatiwalaan niya talaga kami ng hundred percent.
“Kaya kailangan namin suklian ‘yung binibigay niya.”
