Racal big factor in Knights’ rise

MANILA, Philippines - No one really saw it coming – a small Letran team surprising everyone to seize the solo lead ahead of fancied teams.

And in the heart of it was its team captain, Kevin Racal, a wingman playing big because of the Knights’ lack of height.

“We’re so small, I’m using K-Racs (Racal) as a four when he usually plays two or three,” said Letran coach Aldin Ayo.

Truly, Racal has stepped up his game playing the power forward position as evidenced by his 24-point effort in a 77-68 victory over last year’s runner-up Arellano University in a marquee 91st NCAA basketball game Friday at The Arena in San Juan City.

It was enough for Racal to be named the ACCEL Quantum-3XVI/NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week.

What’s more impressive about it was Racal is coming off a season-ending injury a season ago.

“I’m not yet fully recovered but I’m slowly but surely getting into form that I want,” said Racal, who could be applying for this year’s PBA rookie draft.

Ayo was just all-praises for Racal.

“I’m blessed that he just accepts what role is given him and never complained nor whined about it,” he said.

Racal edged teammate Rey Nambatac, San Beda’s Art dela Cruz, Mapua’s Allwell Oraeme and Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Francis Munsayac for the weekly plum presented by ACCEL Quantum 3XVI.