LETRAN had quite the opening splash for NCAA Season 102 after a hard-earned victory over Perpetual.
And while there are plenty of heroes in the win from old reliables Jimboy Estrada and Titing Manalili, and transferee Denzil Sison-Walker - it was rookie Justin Cargo who pushed the Knights towards the finish line to put away the tough-fighting Altas.
Cargo came away with two clutch blocks to deny the Altas' last ditch effort for a comeback -- before grabbing the final rebound and sinking two pressure-packed free throws to seal the deal for the Knights.
READ: Cargo comes up clutch in Letran getaway from Perpetual
Naturally, head coach Allen Ricardo was all praises for the former Squire, saying that his hustle on both ends is exactly what the redemption-seeking Knights needed.
“Talagang eager kami kunin yung Justin Cargo after yung championship last year ng juniors,” Ricardo revealed. “Yun yung kulang namin. Yung huma-hustle and yung uma-atake.”
“So, at least nakabwelo yung rookie namin.”
But Ricardo didn’t stop there. Cargo’s potential was so high that he earned comparisons from another Squire-turned-Knight in now PBA star Rey Nambatac.
“Well, si Justin Cargo, parang Rey Nambatac 2.0. So, dami pa niyang kailangan i-improve. Pero as a rookie, nakita niyo naman yung kaya niyang ibigay," Ricardo said, basically echoing what TV analyst Allan Gregorio has been saying about the rookie all broadcast long.
“Talagang yung character niya, laban eh. Parang wala ngang jitter sa kanya eh,” he added.
Cargo delivered eight points, but added four rebounds, three steals, and the aforementioned two clutch blocks in the fourth quarter, similar to what Nambatac used to bring to the table as a rookie key piece behind the likes of stars Raymond Almazan and Mark Cruz.
No better place than Muralla
While Ricardo didn’t hide that recruiting Cargo to stay was integral along with the activation of the likes of George Diamante and Sison-Walker, the pitch to stay home wasn’t a no-brainer for last season's Juniors Finals MVP.
"Hinahanap ko po kung saan ako magagamit, eh. Syempre, player kailangan ko rin ng playing time. Nakita ko po kay Coach Allen na bagay po ako sa system," he said.
“Medyo nagdadalawang isip ako noon, pero parang bagay po ako dito. Tinrabaho ko naman.”
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