Colegio de San Juan de Letran team captain Fran Yu acknowledged the fact that Korea-bound Rhenz Abando will leave a huge void, but the senior skipper said the squad doesn't revolve around just one player.
Yu, who is designated to lead a new-look Knights, admitted that he was surprised at first by the decision of Abando to bring his act to the Korean Basketball League.
“Nagulat kami kasi after game namin sa D-League nalaman, talo kami eh, tapos pag-bukas ng phone, ayun agad nakita namin,” the graduating Yu recalled during an interview with GMA News Online.
“Nagulat kami tapos syempre malungkot kasi mawawalan kami ng teammate na scorer at malaki 'yung ambag sa team.”
But Yu stressed they are ready to move on, highlighting the need for other players to step up as they eye to retain their title.
“Kailangan mag-step up nung mga natira lalo na 'yung mga kapwestuhan ni Rhenz, sila Kyle Tolentino tsaka si Neil Guarino. Sila 'yung kailangan talagang mag-step up,” said Yu.
“Pero pinupush namin sila, pinu-push sila ng mga coaches na i-fill nga 'yung role na 'yun, 'yung scorer na role kasi kaming mga beterano gagabayan lang namin sila eh. Nasa sarili pa rin naman nila 'yun.”
Abando was nothing short of sensational in his first year with the Muralla crew, copping both the Most Valuable Player award as well as the Rookie of the Year plum to tow Letran to the second of back-to-back championships.
The high-flying forward, though, decided to turn professional after inking a deal with Anyang KGC.
But Yu said they are happy for their former teammate while stressing they have to work doubly hard in the coming NCAA Season 98 men's basketball tournament.
“Pero sobrang saya ko para kay Rhenz. Kasi nga, as a basketball player ayon naman 'yung gusto mo sa future ng family mo,” added Yu.
“Laging sinasabi ng coaches namin na hindi lang naman team ng isang player 'to eh, team ng Letran 'to. Nasa sistema pa rin kami.”
—JMB, GMA News
