Pao Javillonar will run it back with the Knights.
The 6-foot-5 big man will stay with Colegio de San Juan de Letran in their NCAA Season 100 campaign despite already seeing his name get called during the recent PBA Rookie Draft last month.
Javillonar will be part of the Knights' redemption tour roster as the school looks to atone for a lackluster Season 99 run that saw racking up just two wins against 16 losses following a three-peat championships in the previous three seasons.
This decision put his PBA career on hold after he was already selected by the Converge FiberXers as the 19th overall pick.
"I chose to stay kasi this is my last year so gusto ko rin ma-redeem kung ano ‘yung nangyari last year. Redeem as a team and redeem as individuals," Javillonar told GMA News Online.
Javillonar, who was a key cog in Letran's three straight titles in Seasons 95, 97, and 98, said returning for his fifth and final year is also a way of arming himself with the necessary skills when he makes his official leap to the pro ranks.
"Sa next level iba rin ‘yung labanan so ito ‘yung ginagawa kong preparation ko papunta doon sa next journey ko which is sa PBA. After this, rekta na," he added.
But while he's already preparing for the future, Javillonar said his mind is now focused on their impending campaign in the NCAA which starts on September 7.
Javillonar will lead a mix of veterans and young ballers like Kevin Santos, Rafael Go, Kobe Monje, Deo Cuajao, and rookies Titing Manalili and Jovel Baliling with former Squires coach Allen Ricardo now at the helm.
"Focus muna ako sa nasa harapan ko, which is itong NCAA. itong present, dito ako naka-focus."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
