In his two year stay with the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, Jom Sollano has been the picture of stability for the cagers from Muralla Street.
The transferee from University of Southern Philippines-Foundation posted norms of 8.94 points on 46 percent shooting, 5.89 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. Moreover, he had a memorable Game Three as he knocked down the match-winning jumpshot that ended Letran’s 10-year odyssey.
The 6’4 big man then accepted a new role with no hesitation in his second and final year with Letran, becoming the team’s skipper. The soft-spoken Cebuano raised his game, averaging 11.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks.
Even if the Knights were eliminated, Sollano fought valiantly until the end as he faced hulking foreign student-athletes from the other squads. And he did so with no regret and no hesitation.
“Satisfied naman ako pero medyo bitin kasi nakakamiss maglaro sa Letran at makalaro ang teammates ko,” Sollano said as he donned Letran’s red and blue for the final time Thursday afternoon.
“Ganun talaga, dalawang taon lang ako puwede kaya kailangan ko mag-step up para sa next level.”
Even if he has given his heart and soul to Letran, the King Knight felt that he could have given more.
“Binigay ko naman lahat pero siguro may kulang,” he lamented. “Ginawa ko ang best ko para masabi ko sa sarili ko na matapos man ang taon.”
“Wala akong regrets.”
Just like the uncanny patience he has displayed on the court, the sweet-shooting big man will take his time to mature and improve, as he won’t rush himself to enter the professional ranks.
“Sa ngayon, D-League muna. Feel ko kulang pa. Papahinog pa ako ng konti,” he said.
Moreover, he is open to joining the National Team if he gets an invitation.
“Willing naman ako kasi malaking opportunity yan oara sa akin, lalo na dalawang taon lang ako nakalaro, di pa ako masyado na-expose,” the sweet-shooting big man said with enthusiasm.
“Kung bibigyan ako ng pagkakataon, gagawin ko.”
