Like a father to his sons, second-year Letran Knight head coach Jeff Napa has forgiven and is ready to forget the off-season drama his squad experienced a week ago.
“The damage has been done pero kinalimutan na yan. Di na kailangang magmukmuok ka diyan or whatsoever,” shared Napa after Letran’s heartbreaking 75-78 loss to Mapua, last Tuesday.
“Ang importante sa mga batang ito, importante eh suportahan mo kung ano gusto nila gawin so right now yun naman talaga ginagawa ko sa kanila.”
Two days prior to the season, reports had circulated that Bong Quinto and JP Calvo were willing to not suit up for the Knights this season as they entertained an offer to transfer to another school.
But after the institution hosted a conversation between the two student-athletes and the team’s officials, the two re-committed to Letran. And since then, the team has avoided any conversations about the said matter.
“Actually di na namin pinagusapan yun. Nung nangyari yun, sinet aside na namin mga egos namin lahat.
“Like si Rey [Nambatac], talagang nag stand out, man enough, para tanggapin yung dalawa despite all the drama na nangyari. Si Jerrick [Balanza], and then yung team [also]. Masaya ako sa nangyari sa naging desisyon nila,” the National University alumnus said.
Amid the preseason drama, Napa now just wants to focus on the task at hand, which is to make it to the Final Four.
“Positive pa rin ako. Despite all the drama, sinet aside ko na yung drama na yun. Coming in to this game, positibo ako na alam ko nire-respond ng bata.” – BY: Danine Cruz
