Colegio de San Juan de Letran finally ended their nine-month winless streak against archrival San Beda University on Monday.
The Knights showcased their resilience and determination, securing a hard-fought 72-64 victory over an eight-man Red Lions squad to notch their fourth win in five games in the 2023 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup.
The triumph marked not only Letran’s first win against San Beda since August 14, 2022, but also Rensy Bajar’s inaugural victory as head coach of Letran against their long-standing adversaries.
Bajar expressed his elation at the hard-earned accomplishment, emphasizing the team’s enduring desire for this moment.
“Masayang masaya kami kasi unang-una napakasakit na nangyari samin dun sa first game namin against this team — San Beda, [so] ‘yun ‘yung pinakamasakit ‘yung sa D-League,” said Bajar.
“So kumbaga ‘yung kami naman is ‘yung preseason namin is kumbaga, kung ano ‘yung gusto ko, gusto namin habit namin — winning. Hindi porket, preseason ‘to is babawalean namin.”
Although acknowledging the differences in San Beda’s current team compared to previous years, Bajar recognized the significance of triumphing over a perennial powerhouse.
“So kahit sino pa man kahit di kumpleto ‘yung team ng San Beda, at least kami kumpleto kami na tinalo namin sila,” he continued.
The victory was a much-needed boost for Letran, having suffered a lopsided 102-77 defeat at the hands of San Beda in the Preseason Cup on August 14, 2022. The Knights had faced the Red Lions four times since then, enduring losses on August 14 and September 30, 2022 (68-76 and 91-77, respectively), as well as November 16, 2022 (90-87), and most recently on May 9 in the PBA D-League (90-87).
The recent loss in the PBA D-League was particularly heart-wrenching for Bajar and his team. With just 0.5 seconds remaining on the clock and the score tied at 87-all, Letran’s hopes were dashed when Yukien Andrada sank a game-winning three-pointer, sealing a devastating defeat for the Knights.
However, Bajar emphasized that the team would never underestimate San Beda, regardless of their lineup. Letran would always bring their utmost determination and commitment to the game.
Reflecting on the significance of this long-awaited triumph, Bajar underscored the team’s unwavering pursuit of a winning mindset.
Red Lions assistant coach Andre Santos acknowledged the challenges they faced in fielding a complete lineup due to injuries and academic requirements.
Nevertheless, he expressed pride in his team’s resilience and their ability to rise to the occasion.
“Some are injured, some players in the lineup are injured, some have academic requirements to fulfill, so ‘yun we just have eight players talaga to show up today,” said Santos, who handled coaching duties for San Beda due to Yuri Escueta joining TNT in its Governors’ Cup celebration in Hong Kong.
“Siyempre happy ‘cause obviously we want to win, but what’s more important is that we see ‘yung players competing.”
