One shot would have made the difference between a championship and a winner-take-all Game Three for Letran — with Bonbon Batiller at the center of it all.
“Isang shot na lang, isang layup ko na lang, t****** champion na s***.”
San Beda was up by a solitary point with 19.1 seconds left.
Off a timeout, the Red Lions then zoned in on the Knights. Jerrick Balanza was able to break the press, though, drawing three defenders on him.
In one swoop, the 6-foot-2 swingman found a free Batiller underneath. The 5-foot-11 combo guard out of General Santos City then threw a reverse layup.
The shot had no spin to it, though. It went up and up before going down hard without even hitting the rim.
“P***** *** nadulas talaga.
“Para sa akin, ako ang nagpatalo sa game. Nahihiya ako sa teammate ko kasi, isang shot na lang, isang lay up ko na lang… Kung na-convert ko ‘yun, hindi ganun ang takbo ng game,” rued Batiller.
Batiller and Letran ended up losing the contest, 76-79. Yes — the Knights still need to gut out one more game on Tuesday.
A win gives Letran 18th championship, while a loss deals the school another heartbreaker.
After the game, none of the Knights put the blame on the former UE Red Warrior. Though he expected a tongue-lashing, no one even mentioned that play to him — including his coaches.
“Wala akong narinig na masama sa mga teammates ko. Ganun ako kabilib sa mga teammate ko. Ganun nila ako kamahal, ganun ko sila kamahal,” expressed the graduating 25-year-old guard.
“Wala silang sinabi sa ‘kin na negative sa ‘kin, puro positive lang.”
In pain and broken, Batiller shared that he will draw strength from his teammates. After all, he can’t let his family down once more on Tuesday.
“Naninidig ‘yung balahibo ko. Sobrang blessed ako kasi napunta ako sa pamilyang ito, sa team namin.
“Sobrang blessed ako kasi pagpasok ng Letran, pumasok din San Miguel group. Sobrang bait ng mga boss Al [Chua], boss Waiyip [Chong], boss Eric [Ang], paganun-ganun lang. ‘Kala mo suplado pero sobrang bait, ‘di ka nila papabayaan. Kung anong kailangan namin, binibigay nila. Walang nage-expect sa ‘min sa season na ‘to, pero nakapag-finals kami dahil sa suporta nila, sa mga binibigay nila,” he closed.
This last game is the last chance of the season for Letran to deliver. And come game time, Batiller will take the court with all the determination to make it count, with no more mistakes.
