STUNG the last time out, coach Bonnie Tan of defending two-time champion Letran was pleased no end with the way the Knights redeemed themselves last Friday.
“I challenged the boys na huwag mangyari sana iyong nangyari sa last game namin against Arellano. We’re up by four during the end of the first half, tapos iyong third quarter ganoon na naman up by nine kami,” Tan said after Letran pulled off an 80-75 victory over College of St. Benilde to get back on track in the 98th NCAA basketball tournament.
“Pero, iyong game result ng Arellano parang ano sa amin, very frustrated iyong team,” he added.
The Intramuros-based five’s gutsy win over the erstwhile unbeaten Blazers made up for a painful 69-72 loss to Arellano University eight days ago and hiked its mark to 2-1 for solo third.
The Knights’ defeat to the Chiefs also ended their 14-game winning streak dating back to Game 3 of the finals in 2019.
Brent Paraisho showed the way for Letran with 25 points, on top of two rebounds, and three assists, while Fran Yu had an all-around effort of 12 markers, nine boards, six dimes, and six steals.
Pao Javillonar and Kobe Monje also had 10 points each for the Knights.
Tan was simply glad his players led by veterans Louie Sangalang and King Caralipio backed up their promise, at least for now, that their setback at the hands of Arellano would be the last this season.
“Ayaw na nga sana namin maulit, katulad ng sinabi nila Louie (Sangalang) last game tiyaka sila King (Caralipio) na last na talo iyon. Sabi ko ‘parang nakaka-pressure yata iyong sinabi mo. So, during the practice talagang sila iyong tinatanong ko para naman ‘di tayo matalo, sila rin nag (a-advise),” Tan said.
“They contribute din sa practice plan, and na-involve sila sa mga sinabi nilang mga words na iniwan sa inyo.”
The Blazers came off a runaway 81-64 drubbing of Perpetual Help last Tuesday and dropped to 3-1 in a tie with Lyceum.
Will Gozum paced CSB with 23 points and 10 caroms, while Miggy Corteza, Robi Nayve, and Ladis Lepalam got 18, 10, and 10 markers, respectively.
