For Kurt Reyson, their ongoing campaign in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup is the opportunity he had been waiting for since he joined Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
The 5-foot-9 guard is spearheading the Knights as they currently have a 5-2 card in the preseason tourney.
“Ito 'yung hinihintay ko sa career ko. Ito 'yung chance ko na ma-lead 'yung team at binigyan ako ng chance ni coach na dalhin yung team na ito,” Reyson said while referring to their new head coach Rensy Bajar.
("This is what I've been waiting for in my career. This is the chance for me to lead the team and I was given the change by Coach to carry the team.")
In terms of leadership, the Letran guard said he is lucky to have learned from the likes of his former teammates Fran Yu, Brent Paraiso, and Tommy York Olivario.
“Marami akong natutunan sa kanila bilang leader,” said Reyson. “Bilang captain ball, ikaw dapat ang sundan nila, na dapat ako mismo 'yung mag-angat sa kanila, na pag-down sila, ako 'yung unang kakausap para makabawi sila at buong team kami na umangat.”
("I learned a lot from them about being a leader... As a captain ball, you are the one they follow, I have to be the one to lift them up when they're down, I need to be the the one to talk them so they can bounce back and the whole team will benefit.")
And while he has already shown improvement, Reyson believes he, along with his teammates, still need to work on things as they gun for their fourth straight NCAA title.
"Alam ko 'yung pressure bilang isa sa mga leaders ng team, lalo pa defending champions kami. Kaya tatrabahuin ko talaga ito at tatrabahuin namin ito bilang isang team. Dapat handa ako sa lahat ng mangyayari,” he said.
("I know the pressure as one of the leaders of the team, especially we are the defending champions. So I'll put in the work and we'll all put in the work as a team. I need to be ready for whatever happens.")
For Bajar, Reyson's leadership will be integral in the upcoming season.
"Kailangan 'di lang dapat puro sa kanya. Dapat magkaroon pa ng identity 'yung team na ready sila mag-step up sa challenge, at magsisimula lahat 'yun sa leadership ni Kurt,” said the new Letran coach.
("It shouldn't be all him. We need to build an identity as a team that they're ready to step up to the challenge and that all start from the leadership of Kurt.")
Reyson and the rest of the Muralla-based squad are scheduled to go against Season 97 Finals opponent Mapua University in a preseason game on Monday.
—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News
