Pormal nang ipinakilala kahapon bilang bagong headcoach ng Letran Knights sa darating na NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament si Jefferson “Jeff” Napa, ang champion coach ng National University Bullpups sa UAAP junior basketball.

Pinangunahan ni Rev. Fr. Clarence C. Marquez, rector at president ng Letran, ang pagsalubong at pagpapakilala kay Napa bilang bagong miyembro ng Knights.

“We are all aware of the joys and sorrows which accompanied our winning the NCAA senior basketball crown in Season 91. We won the championships, but lost our coach or more properly to say, we let go of our coach,” pahayag ni Marquez, patungkol sa nagbitiw na si coach Aldin Ayo na lumipat sa La Salle sa UAAP.

“Winning may have wounded us, but by losing we keep our honor intact. We mourned, but now, we move on. And with noble honesty, we submitted ourselves to a rigid process of selection,” aniya.

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Pinasalamatan ng Letran ang pamunuan ng National University sa pagpapahintulot ng na makuha ang serbisyo ni Napa habang nanatili itong headcoach ng Bullpups sa UAAP.

At sa kanyang pagiging headcoach ng Knights, nagbitiw naman si Napa bilang isa sa mga assistant coach ng Bulldogs.

Kamakailan, ginabayan ni Napa ang Bullpups sa pag-angkin ng kanilang ikatlong titulo sa loob ng limang taon kontra De La Salle Zobel.

“It is a blessing and an opportunity,”pahayag ng 35-anyos na si Napa na isa ring dating Bulldog.“I am excited because college basketball is a different level in terms of play and coaching. I experienced this as a player and later as an assistant to Manny Dandan and Eric Altamirano (over at NU). I hope to bring my experiences and knowledge to help Letran.”

Kasama niyang gagabay sa Knights ang isa ring dating Bulldog na si Chico Manabat na kinuha ni Napa bilang isa sa kanyang mga assistant coache. (MARIVIC AWITAN)