Two days before the 93rd Season of the NCAA opened, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights were rattled as reports circulated that senior Bong Quinto and third-year floor general JP Calvo were thinking of not suiting up for the Knights this season even after being fielded in the line-up.
Sources have said that the two entertained an offer to join their former mentor Aldin Ayo at the De La Salle University.
The two Letran lifers would have sat out two years if the transfer happened, while Letran would have lost two of their starters.
“Sa akin, sobrang bilis ng pangyayari. Masyado kong inisip yung opportunity na binigay sa akin na di ko na inisip yung team, yung coaches namin, yung school,” the 20-year-old Quinto reflected.
“Kumbaga, sarili ko na lang ang inisip ko.”
Last Friday, the two met with school officials, headed by Athletic Director Fr. Vic Calvo and head coach Jeff Napa, to help them think about the pros and cons of what they were about to do. And they ultimately decided to stay with their alma mater and re-earn the trust of the Letranites.
“Sa akin, tapos na ang nangyari. Focus ko ngayon is mabalik ang tiwala nila coach sa akin at mga teammates ko,” added Quinto. “Tinanggap naman nila kami, ni [JP] Calvo. Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga coaches namin, sa mga teammates namin, sa Rector, kay Father Vic, sa Letran community, na tinanggap nila kami kahit may mga desisyon kaming ginawa na di nila alam.
“Kailangan namin ipakita na deserving kami makabalik sa team. Muntik na namin sila talikuran, muntik na namin iwanan yung school. Siguro yun lang, kailangan namin ipakita sa school kung ano talaga kami sa team.”
But first and foremost, the 6-foot-1 forward is hoping that Napa can forgive him for all the headaches he has caused his coach.
“Siguro this week sobrang hirap sa buhay ko. Yung career ko, nakasalalay na. Kumbaga sinandal ko na kila Fr. Vic, lalo na kay coach Jeff kasi tinanggap pa rin niya ako,” said Quinto while trying to fight off tears.
“Ang dami ko ng kasalanan na ginawa sa kanya.”
