Colegio de San Juan de Letran became the first team to secure a quarterfinal berth and a twice-to-beat advantage in the NCAA Season 102 Seniors’ Basketball Tournament.
The Knights accomplished the feat ahead of every other team in the league despite playing their last five games without Season 101 Rookie of the Year Titing Manalili.
However, head coach Allen Ricardo knows that while Letran has secured the best possible position heading into the playoffs, the road only gets tougher from here.
“Well, ‘di namin tintitignan ‘yung twice to beat. Ang tinitignan namin is how we play the game. Kasi even though manalo kami pero bad win pa rin, parang hindi buong-buo ‘yung kumpiyansa namin going into the hardest battle,” Ricardo said.
In their 91-77 wire-to-wire victory over Arellano University on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, the Knights appeared to have executed Ricardo’s philosophy to perfection.
The victory also extended Letran’s winning streak to four games, making the Knights the hottest team in the NCAA at the moment. With only two games remaining in the elimination round, Letran can now focus on fine-tuning its game as the playoffs draw closer.
In Season 101, Ricardo and his wards had to overcome an uphill battle. They beat the Chiefs despite facing a twice-to-win disadvantage in the quarterfinals before sweeping the Perpetual Altas in the semifinals.
“Yun naman ang gusto kong i-emphasize sa mga bata. Alam niyo sa isip niyo at puso niyo na hindi niyo inaabandona yung sistema, especially sa defensive end,” he added.
Ricardo’s defense-oriented system has allowed the Knights to remain competitive and exceed expectations despite Manalili’s absence during the final stretch of the elimination round.
As for the star guard’s recovery and possible return, Ricardo remained tight-lipped. Still, he expressed hope that Manalili could see action in Letran’s final game of the elimination round.
“For now, di ko pa masabi. Pero siguro sa last game namin bumalik na siya para ma-feel lang niya ‘yung game going into the playoffs,” he shared.
Ricardo acknowledged the doubts surrounding Letran’s campaign following Manalili’s extended absence.
Having coached both the Squires and the Knights over the past few years, however, he understands that overcoming such challenges is part of his responsibility.
“Bonus lang ‘yun kapag nandoon siya. Alam ko naman na ‘yung mga bata, ito talaga ‘yung isa sa gusto naming mangyari. Siyempre, alam naman natin ‘yung kayang gawin ni Jonathan.”
After a short break, the Knights will resume practice on Sunday as they prepare for their penultimate elimination-round game against the EAC Generals on November 5.
