Bong Quinto did not get the ending he had wanted with the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights. The 24-year-old – who spent his last eight years with the Knights – suffered a crushing 85-109 loss to the Lyceum Pirates to round out his collegiate career.
“‘Di ko ine-expect na ganun yung lalaruin ko eh. Kumbaga wala akong natulong sa team namin yung laban na ‘to kasi yun nga, inaasahan ako sa team natin, lalo na si coach Jeff [Napa] inaasahan ako,” lamented Quinto, who only had 12 points on 6-for-17 shooting to go along with seven assists and six rebounds.
“Story nga ng game yun sa akin talaga. Kundi ganun nilaro ko, siguro hindi ganun yung nangyari.”
The burly 6-foot-2 forward wanted to relive 2015 with this batch of Knights. Though he led the Knights to the Final Four boat after missing out for the last two years, they fell short in the biggest of stage.
But he is still immensely grateful to the institution that help him become a better leader.
“Yung leadership na binigay sa’kin ng eskuwelahan namin.
“Ang dami ko ng naging coach sa Letran – tatlong caoch ako: coach Caloy [Garcia], coach Aldin [Ayo], coach Jeff. So yun… Siguro yung experience na binigay nila sa akin, yun yung babaunin ko kung sa’n man ako maglalaro,” he added.
Quinto could not help being embarrassed with the way his career ended, saying that he failed the community as a whole.
“‘Di ako makatingin sa mga crowd, ‘di ako maka-iyak alam mo yun? Sobrang…. imbis na yung parang natalo kami pero kahit papano lumaban pero yun nga… nakakahiya lang,” he expressed.
But he has to face the music and the crowd soon enough.
Two hours after the game, he will return to Letran and play the game of his life: His thesis defense.
“‘Di ko alam gagawin ko… ‘di ako makapag-focus kasi after nito may thesis pa kami, defense namin mamaya ni JP [Calvo],” said the Marketing major.
Quinto, who gave his all to Letran, is hoping to win this one before moving on to the next stage of his life.
