LETRAN'S title-retention bid may have been delayed, but for Fran Yu, all he wants is to get back on the court and show that the Knights' triumph last season is no fluke.
"Gusto naming mapatunayan na kaya talaga namin makipagsabayan sa mga teams kahit na all-Filipino kami. Para hindi nila sabihin na naka-tsamba lang kami," the NCAA Season 95 Finals MVP told The Prospects Pod.
The global COVID-19 pandemic has gravely affected everyone's lives over the past four months and has already pushed back the athletic events to a later date.
The NCAA is no exception, with the opening supposed to be held this July now being pencilled for the first quarter of 2021.
Suspended as the competitions may be, Letran remains as the bar in the NCAA this coming season.
And Yu will be a big part of it, sharing leadership duties alongside his bevy of big men in Larry Muyang, Jeo Ambohot, and Ato Ular for the Bonnie Tan-mentored Knights.

"Hindi ko inaako yung pagiging go-to guy kasi nandyan sila Muyang, Ambohot, at Ular. Sa akin, bilang point guard, kailangan ko yung mga big man dahil di mo naman madadala ng ikaw lang yung team," said the 5-foot-11 skipper from Sta. Cruz, Manila.
"Kapag point guard, kailangan mong mag lead. Kailangan mong mag-assist sa kanila para buong flow ng team niyo tumatakbo."
Lucky for Yu, he has had his fair share of veterans to find inspiration from, taking cues from his seniors as he's now at the frontlines of Letran's attack for NCAA Season 96.
"Maswerte ako kasi nakita ko na yun kay Toto (Calvo), kay Bong (Quinto), tapos kay Jerrick (Balanza) at Bonbon (Batiller). Lahat sila nasa PBA na, so sa akin parang gagayahin ko na lang kung paano yung pag-lead nila sa amin noon," he said.
Still, there's no question on Yu and the rest of the Knights' desire to show that their victory last year is no one-off.
"May gusto pa kaming i-prove. Gusto namin mag-back-to-back," he said.
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