WILLIAM Navarro isn’t coming in as a savior for Magnolia.
That’s clear in his mind when he finally processed the thought that he’s now a Hotshot and a former Northport Batang Pier player.
Navarro said he’s blocking all thoughts about him taking on an active role in the Purefoods’ franchise’s bid to end a seven-year title drought in this ongoing PBA Philippine Cup.
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“No pressure. Why do I have to pressure myself, di ba?” he emphatically said on Sunday night after he made his debut in a Magnolia uniform opposite rival Barangay Ginebra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“So I’ll just keep it simple: have fun, and do what I do best.”
Too bad, Magnolia lost in Navarro’s debut 85-81, as it lost grip of a 71-61 lead against Ginebra in the fourth quarter of the latest 'Manila Clasico.'
In his first game since being traded by Northport to Magnolia for the duo of Calvin Abueva and Jerrick Balanza along with a future draft pick, Navarro played for 16 minutes and finished with five points and four rebounds, while shooting 2-of-6 from the field.
His debut with the Hotshots, ironically, came in his first Manila Clasico game - an experience which for him doesn’t hold too much weight.
“It’s just another game,” Navarro admitted. “Ang difference lang siyempre, new team, bagong players, coaches. So siyempre iba din yung role ko. So I have to trust kung anuman yung decision ng coaches.”
But the 28-year-old forward welcomed the move to join a team that has been a consistent playoffs and title contender.
“I’m used to winning ever since college pa lang [sa] San Beda, Ateneo. Championship games,” said the former Gilas Pilipinas cadet.
“And there’s positive and negative naman whenever there’s something new,” Navarro added. “So positive na new team, very competitive. Pero I have to adjust rin.”
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