Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
“Never ever give up.”
Those were the words former Letran Squires coach Bob Lotuaco always told Rey Nambatac and Bong Quinto whenever he got a chance to chat with his old juniors players.
With the two now seen as the undoubted leaders of the Knights, Lotuaco’s words continue to resonate with Nambatac and Quinto as they try to make a name for themselves in the seniors division.
Unfortunately, they would never hear their mentor utter those words again as the former Squires assistant coach lost his battle to throat cancer last Wednesday. He was 51.
Nambatac and Quinto couldn’t help but wax poetic on the contributions Lotuaco had in their careers.
“He was very close to us and he was very supportive. He was our mentor. Even when he was no longer coaching us, he was always there watching us,” said Nambatac.
“He always tells us NEGU — Never Ever Give Up. He was the type of coach who was positive all the way. He was never negative. He was a cancer survivor and he told us that he fought that and was able to recover from that.”
Quinto added: “Every time we saw each other, he always motivated us. He was like a father figure to us.”
Commemorating their late coach, Nambatac, Quinto, and fellow former Squires Jerrick Balanza and Tommy Gedaria wore white t-shirts with the words “Never Ever Give Up” printed on it for Letran’s game against EAC on Friday.
Those emotions also translated on the hard court, with the senior Knights anchoring the team to the 84-78 victory over the Generals.
Quinto tallied a career-best 27 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, while Nambatac added 19 markers, nine boards, and three dimes in the win.
“This game is really for him,” said Nambatac.
Despite the gloom surrounding his passing, Nambatac shared that he proud of the legacy Lotuaco left for them and every one who had been touched by the inspirational coach.
“It feels good that he left us with a great message, which is never ever give up,” he said. “He fought cancer twice, and was able to get himself back up. So he’s really a great example of those words.”