NCAA: Kurt Reyson ready to seize his moment in final year for Letran
Letran guard Kurt Reyson.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—After a breakout campaign last year, Kurt Reyson is primed to be the new main man for defending champion Letran in the NCAA Season 99.
With the guard trio of Fran Yu, Brent Paraiso and Tommy Olivario now in the PBA, Reyson is expected to take the next step and lead the Knights in their crusade to a rare four-peat.
“It really went in my direction because this will be an exposure for me. I can show my real game because in the past few seasons we had a lot of veterans and now it’s my moment. We have a lot of new players and they all listen to me,” said Reyson in Filipino during a press conference on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“Before, I was already a part of the veterans but I’m being helped by Fran and Tommy who were both guards before. I adapted now and I just added what’s needed for the team and I adapted quickly.”
Reyson averaged 10.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in Season 98, helping Letran capture its third straight crown.
The Davao Occidental native will have the lion’s share of minutes being one of the key holdovers for new coach Rensy Bajar alongside fellow veteran Paolo Javillonar.
Kurt Reyson.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Reyson will also have big shoes to fill in the playmaking department which used to be an area one of the main roles of Yu.
Still, that doesn’t seem to pose a problem for Reyson, who revealed that his former teammates gave him advice on his bigger role with the Knights.
“After they got drafted, the next day we had tune-up games. They gave messages to the players, especially me. They talked to me about how to handle the team and they also gave me tips.”
Now, with more minutes and a platoon of support from ex-teammates, it will be up to Reyson to deliver in his final year for Letran as team captain.
The big expectations also come with a lot of pressure. But Reyson would rather focus on something else.
“For me, I’m not thinking of the pressure. Once you think of the pressure, it gives you more intensity so I just think of how to help the team win. I’m just focused on that, I can’t be pressured.”
Reyson and the Knights begin their title-retention bid against Jose Rizal University on Sunday.
