Rhenz Abando is just two wins away from copping his first-ever collegiate title as his Colegio de San Juan de Letran team advanced to the NCAA Season 97 Finals.
And the high-flying forward does not want to waste yet another opportunity.
“Para sa'kin, ayoko nang maging bridesmaid ulit, ayoko nang maging runner-up,” Abando said after leading the Knights past Perpetual on Sunday.
Before making his transfer to Letran, Abando was able to reach the finals of the UAAP as a player of the University of Santo Tomas, but his team fell short of the title.
He's hoping for a better result this time around.
“Ito na 'yung chance. Kahit sino na makalaban namin, may tiwala ako sa mga teammates ko.”
Abando was just unstoppable in the Final Four against the Altas, racking up a career-high 24 points to go along with three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block en route to a tight 77-75 win.
“Kailangan lang talaga ganado maglaro para makapasok sa Finals, 'yun lang talaga,” stressed Abando.
“‘Yun lang 'yung motivation namin ngayon, isang panalo lang ngayon.”
Asked who he prefers to face in the championship round between Mapua University and San Beda University, who are slugging it out as of posting time, Abando said he’ll respect whoever their opponent will be.
“Actually wala naman akong ayaw kasi kung sino man makalaban namin ngayon, rerespetuhin namin sila.”
—JMB, GMA News
