Romwel Anzures

William Navarro (#6) during his Magnolia debut In the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup. Photo from PBA Images.

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ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748848978320IMG_7106.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="William Navarro (#6) during his Magnolia debut In the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup. Photo from PBA Images."/>William Navarro (#6) during his Magnolia debut In the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — William Navarro has finally made his Magnolia Hotshots debut on Sunday.</div>Following the trade which saw the former collegiate standout move from the NorthPort Batang Pier to Magnolia in exchange for Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza, and a future second-round pick, Navarro donned white, blue, and yellow for the first time In the PBA.Navarro’s first even came as a Manila Clasico bout, but unfortunately for him and his newest team, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel completed a fourth-quarter comeback to seal an 85-81 win vs. the league-leading Hotshots.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/6/1/ginebra-stuns-league-leading-magnolia-in-manila-clasico-to-stay-in-top-4-hunt-2129">READ: Ginebra stuns league-leading Magnolia in Manila Clasico to stay in Top 4 hunt</a></div>Despite the loss, the 28-year-old, former Gilas Pilipinas big man is not losing any sleep.“It’s just another game,” said Navarro, who had five points and four rebounds vs. the Gin Kings. “Difference lang, siyempre new team, players, and coaches, so siyempre, iba yung role ko. I also have to trust kung anong decision ng coaches.”It has been only five days since the trade was made official when Navarro played for Magnolia for the first time, which is why he is staying patient with the progress.“Okay naman, positive naman kami,” he said of the Hotshots who just absorbed their second loss in nine games.“I mean, it’s a test eh. It’s never gonna be easy, because we want to achieve something great,” he added.But while Navarro put an emphasis on staying patient with the process, what he is ecstatic about is finally playing for a perennial championship contender.“I’m used to winning,” said Navarro, who both won championships in the NCAA and the UAAP during his collegiate career.Not that he did not see some semblance of winning with NorthPort, as he was a key piece in the Batang Pier’s semifinals finish in the previous conference — a first for the franchise since 2019.However, just like any other basketball player, Navarro’s sole focus is earning none less than a championship, not participation trophies.“Ever since college pa lang, from San Beda, Ateneo, I have been on championship teams,” recalled the one-time NCAA and two-time UAAP titlist, who both won under the mentorships of Jamike Jarin and Tab Baldwin.But just like how any other championship is won, Navarro knows that it would take patience and staying within their system.<div>“For me, no pressure. Why do I have to pressure myself? So I’ll just keep it simple I’ll just have fun,” he insisted. RELATED VIDEO: <iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IlCBKD9w9pI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></div>

William Navarro has finally made his Magnolia Hotshots debut on Sunday.

William Navarro has finally made his Magnolia Hotshots debut on Sunday.

William Navarro glad to play for contending team anew: ‘I’m used to winning’

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William Navarro glad to play for contending team anew: ‘I’m used to winning’

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 02, 2025 04:30 PM PHT

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