NCAA: Rey Nambatac 2.0? Allen Ricardo compares rookie Justin Cargo to this Letran legend

Justin Cargo has barely begun his collegiate journey, but his early impact has already reminded Colegio de San Juan de Letran head coach Allen Ricardo of a Knights legend.

The third-year shot-caller said Cargo's tenacity and fearlessness on the court are similar to that of Rey Nambatac, who emerged as one of the Knights’ most lethal combo guards during his stint with Letran.
Ricardo has already seen those attributes from Cargo with only a game into their NCAA Season 102 campaign.

"Si Justin Cargo parang Rey Nambatac 2.0," Ricardo said.

"[Ang] dami pa niyang kailangan i-improve pero as a rookie, nakita niyo naman ‘yung kaya niyang ibigay. ‘Yung character niya laban e, parang wala ngang jitters sa kanya."

Cargo is not one to shy from the spotlight. In his final run with the Letran Squires last year, Cargo helped steer them to the NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball championship and won the Finals MVP in the process.

In his very first game in the collegiate ranks, Cargo already showed that the future of Letran is in good hands.

He came alive late against Perpetual in their season opener on Sunday and finished with an all-around outing of eight points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks as the Knights escaped with an 84-77 win.

Ricardo stressed that Cargo is exactly the type of player he wants to complete his Letran crew—and the 20-year-old guard wasted little time proving his coach right.

"Talagang eager kaming kunin ‘yung Justin Cargo after talaga ng championship last year ng juniors," Ricardo shared.

"'Yun ‘yung kulang namin eh, ‘yung huma-hustle, umaatake. At least, naka-bwelo ‘yung rookie namin."

—JKC, GMA News