The Colegio de San Juan de Letran Squires may have missed out on a third straight title, but for Daniel Padilla, learning from Willie Miller and Kerby Raymundo made NCAA Season 100 a win in its own right.
The graduating guard finds it a personnel success to be guided by the likes of head coach Miller and Raymundo, a staunch supporter of the team.
Miller and Raymundo, of course, are considered legends in both the NCAA and the PBA.
Miller, now 47, suited up for the Letran Knights and was even named Rookie of the Year in 1995. Although he didn't win a title with the Knights, Miller’s success came later in the PBA, where he won two MVP plums in 2002 and 2007 and four championships from 2001 to 2015.
Miller is currently in the coaching circle, being part of Converge's coaching staff on top of his duty as the Squires head coach.
For Padilla, having Miller by his side in his young career is nothing short of invaluable.
"Sobrang special ‘yung journey ko ngayon sa Letran kasi si Coach Willie ‘yung nag-coach sa akin, siya humawak sa amin. Coach Willie is Coach Willie eh, one of the PBA legends," Padilla told GMA News Online.
"Sobrang thankful ako kasi ang dami kong natutuhan sa kanya at hindi lang sa kanya, pati ‘yung mga assistant coaches namin. Parehas kaming scorer so ang dami kong natutunan sa kanya kasi shine-share niya sa akin ‘yung mga basketball tips lalo na ‘pag kaming dalawa."
Padilla was also lucky enough to be guided by former NCAA MVP and two-time NCAA champion Raymundo, who regularly watched their games especially in the Final Four round where the latter would offer advice to the 20-year-old guard.
"Si Coach Kerby, kahapon nilapitan niya rin ako na ‘yung body language ko raw ang sama raw, so may natutunan ako sa kanya kasi si Coach Kerby isa rin sa pinakamagaling sa PBA," Padilla shared after their final game of the season.
Padilla is hoping to bring these lessons moving forward as he wrapped up his high school chapter, which saw him win two titles with the Squires in Seasons 98 and 99 before bowing to Benilde-LSGH in the semifinals of Season 100.
"Sobrang proud din ako sa teammates ko kasi umabot kami ng Final Four kahit na nu’ng umpisa walang naniniwala sa amin," he added.
"Kami-kami lang sa inner circle namin ‘yung naniniwala sa amin."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
