ANTIPOLO - For Fran Yu, Letran's NCAA Season 98 seniors basketball conquest is a testament to the team's depth.
"Sobrang saya kasi despite nawala ako, nandyan yung team," said Yu moments after an 81-67 win over the St. Benilde Blazers on Sunday completed a Knights three-peat. "Kaya nga 18 players yan, pag may nawala, may mag-step up."
"Napatunayan namin sa NCAA na kahit anong gawin nila, pag tama yung ginagawa mo, makukuha at makukuha ninyo," he added.
[READ: Letran Knights complete NCAA title three-peat]
Yu was limited to a spectator role in what would have been his final collegiate game as he served his one-game suspension. But the Tondo-raised dribbler left his imprint in the series by constantly being in the ear of his teammates.
"Lagi akong nagko-coach sa kanila gabi-gabi na maging kumpyansa lang sila. Huling laro na ng season, wala nang magagalit. Buti na lang nag-step up sila," he said while praising the efforts of King Caralipio, Brent Paraiso, and the rest of the squad.
But of all his teammates, Yu was most elated with Kobe Monje's performance that saw the forward tally 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
"Ang ganda ng pinakita niya. Quality na quality," he said.
With Yu calling it a career in Letran, he's looking forward for the rest of the holdovers to continue Letran's reign beyond his playing years.
"Kaya nila yan, ilan lang ang rookie dyan. Yung Pampanga boys, di na bago sa big leagues. Si Pao [Javillonar], si Kurt [Reyson], pangatlo na rin nila. Yun ang madadala nila, yung pagiging champion nila ng tatlong beses," he said. "Di na mga bata itong mga ito, pinong pino na, pwede nang pitasin. Sana next year makuha nila ulit."
As for his future, Yu said that he's just waiting for the next best option.
"Plano kong mag-abroad at pumunta ng Iraq," he joked before turning serious. "Di ko pa naisip yun pero pag kaya [sa international], siguro kita tayo doon sa taas."
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