After sustaining a shoulder injury before the season, Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Jun Roque continues to return to form, just in time for the Knights’ entry into the NCAA Season 101 semifinals.
On Friday against twice-to-beat Arellano University, Roque logged more than 30 minutes on the floor, nearly double his average of 16:43 minutes.
In that extended stint, Roque delivered 11 points in the crucial win that sealed Letran’s berth in the Final Four.
“Sobrang saya ko kasi naibabalik ko na ‘yung kumpiyansa ko, ‘yung previous game ko kung paano ako maglaro,” Roque said on Friday.
The pro-bound swingman, selected 12th overall in this year’s PBA Draft, admitted he had doubts after sustaining his injury, but he is grateful for the support of his teammates and those close to him.
“Magpasensya lang daw ako. Kung ano ‘yung kontrolado ko, ‘yun lang [ayusin ko],” he said.
Letran head coach Allen Ricardo also emphasized Roque’s importance to the team, citing his height and athleticism which proved to be of importance in stopping the likes of T-Mc Ongotan during their previous quarterfinals series.
“At least nakabuwelo na si Jun. Alam naman nating ang tagal niya nawala. Ito naman talaga ‘yung hinahanap ko sa kaniyang serbisyo,” Ricardo said.
“Importante sa akin si Jun para maging deeper pa rin ‘yung rotation namin pagdating sa wing. Ang maganda kasi sa kaniya, he’s long, athletic, so definitely ‘pag tinapat namin sa small guy, medyo it keeps bothering din.”
Now, Roque is eager to prove himself against his former team, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA which they will face in the Final Four.
“Sobrang excited kasi, ‘yun nga, previous team, kasi parang may gusto ka rin patunayan sa kanila. Kahit papano, laban pa rin.”
Letran and Perpetual will open their best-of-three semifinals series on Tuesday.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
