REIGNING two-time champion Letran has to prove it wants to reach the Promised Land anew.
To achieve this, the Knights could not afford to squander big leads, according to Letran coach Bonnie Tan.
“This is the best win na nakuha namin and I give credit to my players,” Tan said after the Knights whipped Perpetual Help 74-59 three days ago.
“(But) ang sabi ko sa players, ang hirap mag-champion kung ang tingin sa atin ay very brittle na team iyong nababasag, nahahabol iyong huge leads natin, sayang dahil nawawala,” he added.
Letran tries to extend its winning run to five and gain a piece of third when it squares off with Arellano University today in the 98th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The lone match is set at 3 p.m. after the curtain-raiser pitting San Sebastian College and Jose Rizal University was called off.
“Please be advised of the postponement of game between Jose Rizal University and San Sebastian College scheduled on October 21, 2022 due to health and safety protocol,” the league said in a statement last night.
“The game between Arellano University against Colegio de San Juan de Letran will still push through at 3 p.m. The new schedule of the game will be announced.”
Tan could not emphasize more the need for his troops to bring their A-Game in the tourney’s second round.
“We’re expecting that, iyong mga upset, and lahat puwedeng mangyari,” he said.
“Bilog ang bola and pantay-pantay, sana ma-sustain namin iyong winning run namin and itong second round, ito na iyong bugbugan, positioning sa team standings.”
The likes of Fran Yu, Kurt Reyson, King Caralipio, Louie Sangalang, and Brent Paraiso are expected to show the way for the Knights’ bid to raise their 7-3 mark and avenge a stunning 69-72 loss to the Chiefs when they first met last Sept. 18.
