Photo by Angela Davocol.
Letran head coach Jeff Napa hopes to repay San Miguel Corporation’s trust and confidence to the team by converting their assistance to victories despite high expectations.
Last February, Letran rector Fr. Clarence Victor Marquez, O.P., and athletic director Fr. Victory Calvo conducted a meeting with SMC sports director Al Francis Chua to formally introduce him to the squad.
Chua, who graduated from Letran High School in 1985, vowed to aid Letran’s athletic program as he was named as Special Assistant to the Rector for Sports Development.
“Malaki difference kasi andyan sila to support all the way nang hindi ka iiwan,” the Knights’ mentor said.
Napa admitted that the arrival of San Miguel boosted his players’ confidence coming into the season.
“Syempre, ‘yung confidence ng mga bata lalong tumaas nung pumasok [ang] SMC kaya pasalamat kami kay boss RSA [Ramon S. Ang] and boss Al [Francis Chua],” he bared.
Now, with a huge load of help given to him and the team, the pressure is now on the shoulders of Napa to deliver the goods for both Letran and SMC.
“Lagi naman may pressure eh. Basta ang advice lang ni boss Al sa amin, maglaro lang mga bata at sa part ko, sa coaching, just do my best na kung ano ‘yung kung sa tingin kong tama, ‘yun ang gawin ko,” Napa shared.
Luckily for Letran though, the multi-titled coach did not disappoint as the Knights are now on a fiery three-game winning streak after losing their season-opener against the Perpetual Altas.
The streak was capped-off by their home court win against the College of St. Benilde Blazers yesterday.