Has San Beda University's James Kwekuteye played his last NCAA game?
The Filipino-Canadian shooting guards isn't sure himself.
San Beda on Tuesday was eliminated from Season 98 after losing their Final Four match against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. But though Kwekuteye still has one playing year left for the Mendiola-based crew, the 6-foot-1 cager said he isn't certain what the future holds for him.
"Who knows if I'll come back next year. We'll see, we'll see," Kwekuteye said after San Beda made its exit with a 62-61 defeat to Benilde.
"I'll talk to my agent and we'll go from there. I still have one playing year so who knows. Stay tuned."
Kwekuteye regrets that he couldn't end the the year the way he wanted as the Red Lions missed the Finals for a second consecutive season.
Though he posted 11 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block, his efforts weren't enough as San Beda failed to solve the Benilde puzzle, falling to the Blazers for a third time this season.
"But what a sad way to end the season, you know we're supposed to go to the Finals but Benilde put up a fight but we just came up short in the end," he added.
"But I'm so proud of my guys, my team, and the coaching staff. I will trust the coaching staff no matter what but at the end, we came up short."
Regardless of his decision, Kwekuteye still sees a bright future for San Beda despite the potential exit of himself and graduating teammate JB Bahio.
After all, they will be bannered by young guns Jacob Cortez, Tony Ynot, Yukien Andrada, Justine Sanchez, and Gab Cometa next season while they will welcome recruits Jomel Puno and Collin Dimaculangan and the returning JV Gallego.
"We can beat any team but today, it's not it. I'm happy overall but not too happy because we really wanted to make it to the championship but everything happens for a reason," he said.
"Jacob and Tony, I trust those two guys and especially Gab, too, and Peter Alfaro, Yukien, and Justine. Pretty much the first ten minus me and Bahio."
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
