Colegio de San Juan de Letran head coach Bonnie Tan did not put pressure on the debuting Rhenz Abando and Brent Paraiso as the two played their first game with the Knights on Saturday in the NCAA Season 97 opener.
The 6-foot-2 Abando was sensational in his maiden match, finishing with a game-high of 19 points to go along with eight rebounds, three assists, and four blocks as Letran went for a come-from-behind 67-63 win at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.
Paraiso, a former teammate of Abando's at the University of Santo Tomas, had a tougher outing, finishing with four markers and five rebounds.
Although Tan said that Abando and Paraiso still have a lot up in their sleeves, the seasoned tactician said he is not rushing them.
"Alam niyo, si Rhenz we just met him last February so ano pa, nagaadjust pa lahat. Of course, we want to let Rhenz play to his full potential," Tan said in the post-game interview.
"But we’re not rushing him, including Brent Paraiso kasi understandable naman na we’re just parang less than two months pa lang na magkakasama. We’re not pressuring Rhenz but for sure, eventually, again we want to let Rhenz play to his full potential."
Tan added that with the short tournament, Letran will be treating every game like a championship as they are eager to defend their title they won in 2019 against San Beda.
"Very important. Sa huddle, [sinasabi namin na] every game dito championship. We treat every game as a championship game," he said.
—JMB, GMA News
