A squire will grow up to become a knight.
CJ Saure has chosen to remain at Colegio de San Juan de Letran for his collegiate studies.
For the 20-year-old guard, it was a no-brainer to remain with the Knights since it was his late father Charles’ wish for him.
“My father said na kung saan ka nagsimula, doon mo na tapusin. Ayaw po kasi niya na lumipat po ako kasi sa Letran po ako nagsimula,” Saure shared to Tiebreaker Times.
“Bago po siya namatay, ‘yun po ang sinabi niya sa akin.”
Back in 2018, Saure was just in his rookie season for the Squires. In their third game, Saure received the devastating news that his father had passed away.
“Ako po nagpanalo sa game namin na ‘yun, last shot pa. Tapos nung pag-uwi namin galing sa laro, my mom called me and said that Dad passed away,” he recalled.
The 6-foot-1 guard went on to average 10.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in NCAA Season 94.
He then upped the ante in Season 95, norming 14.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
In the seniors’ division, he feels excited to play alongside Rhenz Abando, who transferred from UST to Letran last year.
Both Saure and Abando are natives of Pangasinan.
“Excited po ako makasama si Kuya Abando kasi pareho po kami ng probinsya,” he said.
“Gustong-gusto ko na po makasama sa laro ‘yung idolo ko, at ibibigay ko po ‘yung best ko para mabalik ko po ‘yung tiwala ng Letran sa akin.”
Saure is also grateful to the team’s management and his juniors coaches for giving him the opportunity to shine in high school.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako kay Boss Kenneth (Causon) at sa mga coaches ko na sina Raymond Valenzona, Art Valenzona, Elmer Latonio, Robert Guevara, Gerry Gonzales, Bernardo Mercado, Kenyon Chee, Macoy Fajardo, Jimmy Mendoza, at Gabby Ramirez,” he expressed.
“Kung wala po sila, wala po ako dito ngayon.”
