COACH Rensy Bajar of reigning three-time champion Letran is not pushing the panic button yet despite the Knights’ horrible 0-3 start.
“This is not the time to panic, this is the time to trust the system, trust one another,” Bajar said. “So, iyon ang kailangan namin ma-address in the coming games. So far in our first three games, winnable naman iyong mga games.
“Problema lang namin down the stretch, doon kami nagka-kanya-kanya. Half of the team is bago pa lang, seven veteran players iyong nawala,” he added.
Bajar is hoping Letran finally ends its slump when it tackles rival San Beda University today in the 99th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The match is set at 4 p.m. after unbeaten Lyceum seeks a fifth straight win against winless Arellano University in the curtain-raiser at 2 o’clock.
The Knights skidded to their third loss in as many games 65-75 last Sunday.
Kurt Reyson, Deo Cuajao, and Pao Javillonar will be counted upon by the Intramuros-based cagers to deliver.
The Red Lions downed fancied College of St. Benilde 83-77 five days back to hike their card to 2-1.
The San Beda crew of strategist Yuri Escueta will pin their hopes on prolific guard Jacob Cortez and Yukien Andrada.
“Actually, that’s one of our motivations. That’s one of our inspirations but let’s see. It will still be up to us if we can reach our old position,” Pirates tactician Gilbert Malabanan said, referring to the 18-0 eliminations mark posted by a CJ Perez-led Lyceum squad in the league’s 93rd season in 2017.
“I don’t want us to relax because we’re 4-0 but we still need to work. Like I said, this is not our goal. Our goal is going to the top and to the finals and championship. Right now, we need to put in the work.”
The Pirates, who will bank on John Barba, Shawn Umali, John Bravo, and Mclaude Guadaña, will go into the duel armed with an 83-72 triumph over San Sebastian College last Tuesday.
The Chiefs reeled off to a 0-3 slate after a 66-85 drubbing at the hands of Perpetual Help three days back.
