Photo by Angela Davocol/The LANCE.
The former NCAA Juniors MVP delivered 12 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds in the Knights’ 84-63 victory against the Mapua University Cardinals.
“Siyempre, lahat ng pain na nakuha namin sa dalawang talo namin, dinadala namin,” said Quinto, who averaged 17 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in Letran’s last two games.
The graduating forward turned these losses to motivation and willed his team back to the win column.
“Gusto ko lang talaga ngayon is manalo kami. Gusto ko nag-eenjoy ‘yung mga teammates ko, na lahat [sila] nai-involve sa opensa and then sa defense,” he said.
“So ayon, ang mindset ko lang is matulungan ‘yung team ko manalo kami [at] maglaro para sa Letran, kasi nakakahiya kung uuwi nanaman kami ng Intramuros tapos tatlong talo sunod sunod,” he added.
Despite his superb individual performance, Quinto shrugged it off and credited his teammates for his fine play.
“Nakita ko lang talaga ‘yung strengths ng big men namin. Sobrang swerte lang namin na mayroon kaming big man kagaya ni [Larry] Muyang, [Christian] Fajarito, [Jeo] Ambohot, at [Christian] Balagasay,” he bared.
Quinto shot 16/41 from the field in his last two games. This time though, Letran’s point-forward learned his lesson and took only ten shots against the Cardinals.
“Minsan kasi pag pumasok na sa mindset ng isang player na umiskor ng umiskor, lalong nagka-kamali so ako go, with the flow go [and] with the system ng coaches namin,” Quinto explained.
Letran head coach Jeff Napa believes that Quinto have always been a team player for the Knights. “Team Player talaga ‘yan eh, ‘di siya ‘yung parang i-isipin niya ‘yung score niya. Bong Quinto is a team player talaga eh, nagfe-feed siya sa ginagawa namin and magiging maganda para sa team ‘yun [at] para sa kanya,” said Napa.
Quinto is the first player to reach the milestone since Arellano’s Jiovani Jalalon recorded 31 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds three years ago.