JEFF Napa’s other set of ‘prized recruits’ finally came to play as Fran Yu and Koy Galvelo came out with their best game in a Letran uniform in the Knights’ 91-82 win over the EAC Generals on Tuesday night.
Much has been said about Napa’s recruitment, particularly in key cogs Larry Muyang, Christian Fajarito and Bonbon Batiller, but when needed, the two young guards finally came out to play.
The backcourt pair combined to shoot six of nine from downtown with Galvelo finishing with 15 points while Yu had 13 in just six minutes of action.
Galvelo last played for St. Clare College under coach Jinino Manansala and was set to transfer to National University before Letran came calling. Yu, on the other hand, is a transferee out of Trail International School in Thailand and had a stint at University of the East under Derrick Pumaren.
For Napa, recruitment isn’t only reserved for the perceived ‘big schools,’ it’s all a matter of building trust among the players that you’re trying to get.
“May karapatan din naman kaming Letran mag-recruit eh. Di lang naman big schools ang may karapatan mag-recruit eh. It’s a matter lang kung paano mo pagkakatiwalaan yung mga players na kinukuha mo,” Napa said.
“Siguro naman yung ibang schools magaagree naman talaga, kung sino man yung nasa baba diyan, everybody has the right to recruit sa mga blue chip. Pamilya lang naman ang makakapagdesisyon kung saan sila makakapunta,” he added.
For Napa, he’s just thankful that there are players who trusted to go with him in Letran and he vows that he will maximize these players to their full potential.
“Kailangan namin bolahin yung mga players para sumama sila sa amin. Eh nabola ko sila, pumunta sa Letran, sumama sa akin, happy naman ako, at least nakukumpleto ko yung kung anong kulang namin,” said Napa.
“Kahit sinong rerecruitin ko rin, ako totoo lang akong tao, nagtiwala sa akin mga players ko, alam nila na may kakayanan ako kaya sila nagpunta ng Letran.”
He may not be a Letran ‘alumni’ but his love for the community pushes him to work harder when it comes to recruitment.
“I’m proud to be in Letran. Kahit na sa ibang lugar ako gumraduate, proud ako na dinadala ko yung Letran team at hindi ko kinakahiya na di ako nagdalawang isip na pumunta dito sa Letran," the National University product ended.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph