Kurt Reyson eager to learn from fellow Letran Knights Raymond Almazan, Bong Quinto in Meralco

From Knights to Bolts.

Kurt Reyson will enjoy some semblance of home when he begins his professional career in the PBA as he gets to share the court with fellow Colegio de San Juan de Letran alumni Raymond Almazan and Bong Quinto at Meralco.

And the 5-foot-9 guard is already looking forward to learning from his 'kuyas'.

"Hindi ko rin ineexpect na makakasama ko rin ‘yung mga kuya ko, mga alumni ng Letran na naging legends na rin dito sa Meralco," Reyson said shortly after he was picked by the Bolts in the second round of the PBA Draft last Sunday.

"Sana madami akong matutunan sa kanila."

[I didn't expect that I would join my kuyas, alumni of Letran that have become legends here in Meralco. I hope I learn a lot from them.]

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Reyson knows that what he can bring to the table for Meralco is his winning mentality, which is rooted from his time at Muralla, where he helped the Knights capture three straight titles in the NCAA and where he emerged as a reliable guard under the system of head coaches Bonnie Tan and Rensy Bajar.

Armed with plenty of finals experience, Reyson is looking to help the Bolts further impose their might after having won the Season 48 Philippine Cup.

"Siguro ‘yung winning habit ko kasi madami na rin akong nadaanan na championship sa NCAA and sa ibang amateur leagues," he added.

"And ngayon dito sa PBA, nandito ako sa champion team so so far naman, handa ako [na ibigay] kung ano ‘yung kaya ko."

[My winning habit, I was part of multiple championships in the NCAA and other amateur leagues. And here in the PBA, I'm here with a champion team so I'm ready to give what I'm able to.]

And it's a special thing for Reyson to be able to do it with his fellow Knights.

Almazan, Quinto, and Reyson represent three different generations of Letran and each made his mark for the school.

The 6-foot-8 Almazan was a key cog for the Knights in the early 2010s, emerging as one of the primary defenders for the school, winning the MVP plum in 2013 while also being named to the Mythical Team in 2011 and 2013. He, however, wasn't able to win a title with the Knights and eventually made a jump to the pros.

Quinto, meanwhile, helped Letran capture the Season 91 title after defeating archrival San Beda University under the guidance of coach Aldin Ayo. In his final playing year, Quinto was included in the Season 94 Mythical Team alongside Prince Eze, Robert Bolick, Javee Mocon, and Donald Tankoua.

Together, they played instrumental roles for the Bolts' first-ever franchise title in the PBA last month.

Reyson, for his part, said he is ready to shrug off the pressure of joining a star-studded Meralco backcourt rotation.

"Sobrang overwhelming talaga kasi hindi ko expected na makakasali ako sa second round," he said.

"Sobrang saya kasi ‘yung nag-pick pa sa akin ay defending champion, doble pressure ‘yung nararamdaman ko. Defending champion ‘yung kumuha sa akin so malaking role ‘yung gaagwin ko dito."

[It's so overwhelming because I didn't expect to be picked in the second round. I'm really happy because the team that picked me is the defending champion, so that's double the pressure that I feel. I was picked by the defending champion so the role I will have will be a big one.]

—JMB, GMA Integrated News