Veteran Bembem Bautista is now weighing next steps after Colegio de San Juan de Letran bowed out of contention in the NCAA Season 101 men’s volleyball tournament.
Letran was swept by eventual finalist De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the semifinals, a reversal of last season’s campaign when the Knights advanced to the finals in Season 100.
“Iniisip ko naman eh, na baka last ko na nga,” Bautista told GMA News Online following their semifinals loss to Benilde last March 27.
“Hindi naman ako pa aalis sa school, sa Letran. Tutulong ako kay coach kung papatulungin niya ako, sa training, gano’n.”
(I was really thinking about it, that this might be my last season... I'm not leaving the school, Letran, yet. I'm going to help coach if he will let me. In training, and ways like that.)
However, Bautista admitted that the outcome has affected his passion for the sport.
“Parang nawawalan na kasi ako ng gana. Hindi ko nakikita ‘yung sarili ko na maglalaro pa nang maglalaro,” the outside spiker admitted.
“Parang gusto ko na lang mag-work or mag-learn.”
(I feel like I'm losing the drive. I don't really see myself continuing to play... I think I might want to work or to learn.)
A hospitality management student, Bautista said he is open to mentoring the next generation of players while also exploring opportunities outside volleyball.
“Nakita ko si coach, nakita ko ‘yung parang ang sarap sa pakiramdam na natututo, naglalaro sa ganito,” he said.
“Nakakatuwa ‘yung may natuturuan ka or may natututo sa’yo na maglaro.”
(I saw coach and it looked like it was such a good feeling to learn and play in this environment. It's a good feeling to teach and to have someone learn from you how to play.)
He also shared that he may help grow a business run by his sibling.
Despite the early exit, Bautista expressed gratitude for his journey with the Knights.
“Thankful na rin ako kasi from rank 4, naglaro pa kami ng play-in. Parang nasa bottom kami ng bracket namin. Nalabanan namin ‘yung nag-twice to beat na Perpetual, ‘yung rank 1 sa kabilang bracket,” he said.
“Akala ko mauulit. Siyempre umasa, naniwala naman. Kaso, eh, ‘yun lang talaga yung binigay ni Lord.”
(I'm thankful because from rank 4, we competed in the play-in. We came from the bottom of our bracket. We went against the twice-to-beat advantage of Perpetual, which was rank 1 of the other bracket. I thought we would do it again. We hoped, we believed. But this is what the Lord gave us.)
—JMB, GMA News
