Kurt Reyson came alive in the second half for Colegio de San Juan de Letran in their final first-round game clash against Emilio Aguinaldo College.
The 5-foot-9 guard was reliable, producing 13 markers in an efficient 57-percent shooting, all in the second half, while also producing three rebounds and two steals in their 82-78 win.
And of course, Knights head coach Bonnie Tan acknowledges his performance.
“Parating mainit yan eh. Yung first game namin, nakita naman ninyo he saved yung game namin by hitting the last shot. So ano naman yan, mapasensya naman yan si Reyson,” said Tan, regarding Reyson’s breakout 31-point performance against Jose Rizal University last September 14.
This time around, Reyson was the one who sealed the game against EAC, hitting his two pressure-packed free throws to make it a two-possession game with three seconds left.
For the Letran junior, he considered it as debt after being scoreless in the first half.
“Kanina, wala akong nagawa sa first half. Tas iniisip ko pag pasok ko sa second half, pagka ano ko, ibibigay ko talaga,” said Reyson.
Coming into this game, Reyson has been one of the reliables for Letran, averaging 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per contest.
Tan also applauded Reyson’s leadership as he is willing to sacrifice his minutes for the greater good of the team.
“Being a veteran na si Reyson, this is his third year, I’m expecting na naiintindihan pa rin niya yung role niya sa team na kahit na limited playing minutes lang nabibigay sa kanya, pagka kailangan siya sa loob ng court talagang he delivers,” said the two-time NCAA champion coach.
Reyson, for his part, is locked in with his role as he had nothing but trust for the two-time NCAA champion coach.
“Ganun talaga, nagsimula din ako sa sinabi ni coach na ayun nga galing sa baba. Pero ganun pa din ngayon, kasi marami yung gwardya samin ngayon,” said Reyson.
“Pero hindi ko iniisip yon kasi yun yung role ko, kung ano yung binibigay nila, may tiwala ako.”