Rhenz Abando thankful for collegiate stint as former Letran star gets feted by Collegiate Press Corps

Rhenz Abando marked his return to the Philippines the same way he left it — with a championship.

The high-flying Filipino import and his Anyang KGC team reigned supreme in the Korean Basketball League (KBL), dethroning defending champion Seoul SK as Abando added another title to his growing trophy collection.

Prior to leaving for Korea, Abando steered Colegio de San Juan de Letran to a Season 97 sweep to deliver the school's back-to-back NCAA titles while also helping University of Santo Tomas to a UAAP Season 82 finals appearance before he decided to transfer to Muralla.

And the 6-foot-2 cager has his fruitful collegiate stint to thank for the opportunity to make a name for himself in the international scene.

"Sobrang laking tulong sakin na maglaro [sa] collegiate kasi kung hindi ako naglaro dito, hindi naman ako makikilala at [makakapunta] sa abroad," said Abando, who was feted by the Collegiate Press Corps as the 2021-2022 Basketball Player of the Year on Monday night.

Rhenz Abando shares how his collegiate stint in the Philippines helped him reach his status now

"Sobrang laking bagay kasi kung 'di ako nakapag-college dito... siguro 'di ako mabibigyan ng opportunity na makapaglaro overseas, 'di rin ako makikilala." #CollegiatePCAwards pic.twitter.com/D15w25N5xH

— GMA Sports (@gmasportsph) May 30, 2023

("Being able to play collegiate ball was a big help because if I didn't play here, I wouldn't have been scouted and gone abroad.")

Aside from Abando, also given the same award were Thirdy Ravena (2019-2020) and Ange Kouame (2022-2023) while Tab Baldwin, Goldwin Monteverde, and Bonnie Tan were hailed the top coaches for steering their respective teams to championships in UAAP and NCAA.

Tan, who was the architect behind Letran's three-peat feat, said that timing matched with resources are a recipe for success.

"If you have the chance to prove yourself... go for it. Right timing, right materials, right resources, malaking chance na mananalo tayo," said Tan who parted ways with Letran a month ago after three seasons to focus on NorthPort in the PBA.

("If you have the chance to prove yourself... go for it. Right timing, right materials, right resources, there's a good chance we'll win.")

In the volleyball scene, the only Rookie MVPs of the UAAP women's division – Bella Belen of National University and Angel Canino of De La Salle University – were hailed as the Collegiate Volleyball Players of the Year for 2022 and 2023, respectively.

In the NCAA, Benilde's Mycah Go and Gayle Pascual received the annual honor for years 2022 and 2023, respectively, after continuing the Lady Blazers' dynasty with back-to-back championship sweeps in Seasons 97 and 98.

"Sobrang thankful din kasi hindi namin ineexpect kasi maraming players ang UAAP. So it's a blessing kasi napasama kami dito," said Belen.

("I'm so thankful because we didn't expect because there are a lot of players in the UAAP. So it's a blessing that we were able to be part of this.")

—JMB, GMA Integrated News