For the first time this year, Jeff Napa shared the court with the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights on Sunday afternoon.
However, he no longer wore the Knights’ uniform. Instead, he was on the other side to help out the National University Bulldogs.
Last January, Napa was not renewed by Letran after serving as the team’s head coach.
But for the Knights, Napa will always be part of Letran.
“Para sa akin, part pa rin siya ng Letran. Siya ang unang nagbuo doon.
“Kung hindi dahil sa kanya, wala ang team ngayon. Kung di dahil sa kanya, wala ako sa Letran. Kasi siya yung nagpapunta sa akin sa Letran at siya ang bumuo ng team,” said Larry Muyang, who Napa recruited out of La Salle three years ago.
Besides Muyang, the likes of Bonbon Batiller, Christian Fajarito, Jeo Ambohot, among others also enrolled in Letran after being part of other schools.
Napa literally opened Letran’s walls.
During the contest, however, Letran was able to beat the NU Bulldogs, 76-69.
Seeing the Knights tear it up in the PBA D-League and the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, Napa is confident that Letran can take it all the way come the NCAA Season 95 Seniors Basketball.
“Happy ako sa mga performance ng mga bata ng Letran. At least, maganda yung tinatakbo nila,” said Napa.
“I’m sure coach Bonnie [Tan] will work out the little things na kailangan nila trabahuin to win the championship. I’m confident they will be better coming into the season. “