Fran Yu buried the pain of last season Friday, helping Letran eliminate its tormentors Lyceum.
After all, the 5-foot-10 floor general has been preparing for that moment for the entire year.
“Unang punta ni coach Bonnie [Tan] sa amin, pinractice namin ang press break. Sa practice, tira lang. ‘Pag pumasok, swerte,” shared Yu.
“‘Pag sablay, depensa. Kaya nadadala ko sa game.”
Breaking the Pirates’ nightmare press was important for him.
Exactly 343 days ago, the Knights figured in a Final Four game versus the Pirates. Letran was keeping close with Lyceum — until disaster struck.
Then-ace Letran guard JP Calvo figured in a crash with Mike Nzeusseu, which resulted in a high ankle sprain.
Yu was then given the cudgels of the team. However, his youth showed as Lyceum’s guards constantly hounded him which resulted in turnovers.
“Hindi ako ready nun e. Kasi ‘di ko alam na mainjure si JP. Bumigay kami. Ngayon, kailangan mag-step up,” recalled Yu, as Letran lost 85-109.
“Walang magfi-fill sa spot ni JP last year.”
This time around, he made sure to torment the Pirates to the tune of 20 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Making it sweeter, he was the one waving goodbye to Lyceum as Letran took a 92-88 win to advance to the finals.
But the work is not yet over for Yu.
“Wala, hindi pa tapos. Walang kwenta ang individual award ‘pag ‘di ka mag-champion,” said Yu, who is set to win the Most Improved Player plum.
“Mas okay mag-champion.”
