Renzo Navarro knew he would have a lot on his plate when the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 97 men's basketball tournament kicked off last March 26.
Navarro is one of only four holdovers from Season 95 with the others being Jerwyn Guinto, Yancy Remulla, and Enoch Valdez. The rest of their roster this year are either rookies or former reserve players.
The floor leader said that with a young and rebuilding squad, he had to take charge.
"Naging habit na siya sa akin kasi simula nung pumasok kami ng bubble, puro bata 'tong kasama ko eh tapos syempre iba-iba ng pinanggalingan, iba-iba ng ugali," Navarro shared after steering the Pirates to a 70-66 comeback win over Arellano University on Friday.
"So ako, sinet ko na sa utak ko na ako mag-adjust sa kanila para maging united kami."
With Navarro taking over in the final stretch of the game, the Pirates were able to escape the Chiefs as he drilled all of his 10 points in the fourth quarter, including a triple that gave them a 66-64 cushion.
Another basket from him and a couple of freebies ultimately sealed the victory for the struggling Lyceum.
Navarro, though, admitted that despite his play this season, it has been a challenge to lead a young crew, especially that he himself was rarely used in Season 95.
"Actually sobrang hirap kasi kung titignan niyo, apat lang kaming holdovers tapos 'pag tinignan niyo yung minutes ng past season, kaming apat di naman talaga masyadong ginagamit eh," shared Navarro, who still has one playing year left.
"Sa aming apat, ako na yung pinakamatagal, 15 minutes ata ako no'n. Basically, parang rookies kaming lahat eh kaya medyo mahirap eh."
—JMB, GMA News
