Kurt Reyson has his best performance yet in a Letran uniform.
The 5-foot-9 guard produced the highest scoring performance so far this season with 31 points while also shooting an efficient 64-percent clip from the field, including 6-of-8 from deep. Most importantly, taking a 101-97 overtime victory against Jose Rizal University to open their three-peat bid.
And Reyson made sure to deliver for late Letran chaplain Fr. Rafael Quejada, OP.
“Kumabaga, sa isip ko nag dadasal ako nun kasi namatayan kami ng father, si Father Raffy, pumunta kami dun kanina.
“Sa isip ko, sana makuha namin ‘yung panalo para i-dedicate namin ‘to kay Father Raffy kasi para sa kanya ‘tong panalo na ‘to,” said Reyson who knocked down a game tying three pointer in the final five seconds of the fourth period. “Nagulat na lang ako nakuha ko ‘yung bola, wala na akong dalawang isip, titira ko na talaga. Ayun nabiyayaan naman na-shoot naman.”
Fr. Quejada or also known as Father Raffy in Letran passed away on Monday at the age of 93. And Reyson gave him the best tribute by giving the Knights their first win of the season.
The third-year Letranite coming from Negros Occidental also believes that this wasn’t Letran’s peak yet as it is only their first game since their quarantine last week.
“Di pa kami nasa [100-percent], nasa 70-percent pa lang kami talaga, talagang kulang talaga. Kasi ‘yung kalaro namin kanina at diba nung first game nila tinambakan sila nung Perpetual, tiyaka nagulat lang kami ganon ‘yung aggresiveness na ginawa sa amin din. Ayun, kailangan pa namin i-develop pa na-taasan ‘yung laro namin,” said Reyson.
For Letran’s head coach Bonnie Tan, Reyson’s performance was long overdue as he gave nothing but credit to his combo guard.
“It’s all about heart and swerte. It’s for the JRU’s game na talaga e no? Pero na-shoot natin sa last shot ni Kurt Reyson, he played a good game, 9 out of 14 diba di na pwersado ‘yung mga tira, and free throws niya 7-of-7,” said the Knights head tactician.
“Wala na ako masabi sa bata nun. For me, it’s time for him to step up kasi dati parati na o-overshadow ng mga veterans.”
