Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Bonnie Tan glad to see Letran respond to his challenge


After Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s heartbreaking 69-72 loss at the hands of Arellano University, Knights head coach Bonnie Tan gathered his team at the roundtable.

And he threw down a challenge to the defending two-time champions.

“I challenge the boys na wag magyari sana ‘yung nangyari last game namin against Arellano na we’re up by four during the end of the first half, tapos ‘yung of third quarter ganon nanaman up by nine kami,” said Tan.

“Pero, ‘yung game result ng Arellano parang ano sa amin – very frustrated ‘yung team.”

In the final 10 minutes of the game, Letran went ice cold, shooting just 5-of-26 from the field.

It would have been alright if their defense did its part but unfortunately, it caved, letting the Chiefs score 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field and 7-of-10 from the stripe.

And the seniors of the Knights were nowhere to be found in the game as Brent Paraiso went just 3-of-15 from the field for eight points. Ditto for Fran Yu, who only shot 2-of-8 for eight points.

On Friday, they needed to make a statement. They were facing the then-undefeated College of Saint Benilde.

“Ayaw na nga sana namin maulit, katulad ng sinabi nila Louie [Sangalang] last game tiyaka sila King [Caralipio] na last na talo ‘yun,” said Tan.

“Sabi ko ‘parang nakaka-pressure yata ‘yung sinabi mo. So, during the practice talagang sila ‘yung tinatanong ko para naman di tayo matalo, sila rin nag [a-advice], they contribute din sa practice plan, and na-involve sila sa mga sinabi nilang mga words na iniwan sa inyo.”

In the first half, Paraiso caught fire, scoring 23 points built on four treys to help give Letran a 50-46 lead.NCAA-98-CSB-vs-CSJL-Brent-Paraiso-3 Bonnie Tan glad to see Letran respond to his challenge Basketball CSJL NCAA News  - philippine sports news

#ReadMore  Jeff Napa, Letran try to change Wangs Basketball's fortunes

And when the going got tough, Yu did the intangibles while Pao Javillonar anchored the defense.NCAA-98-CSB-vs-CSJL-Fran-Yu Bonnie Tan glad to see Letran respond to his challenge Basketball CSJL NCAA News  - philippine sports news

Alas, Letran bounced back with an 81-75 win to return to the win column.

But there’s no point to relax for Letran as up next is their NCAA Season 97 Finals foil Mapua University.

“Mapua, we’re expecting a tough game again. Almost lahat nga talagang crucial games dito lalo na sa start no? Sabi ko nga sa mga players magiging trending tong mga panalo, and talo natin each time, so sana papunta [kami] sa pataas sa win column; hindi sa losing column na standing natin. So Mapua ‘yun nga matibay, and alam natin experienced team, so sana maka-execute kami agad ng good game plan against Mapua,” Tan expressed.

“Umabot din sila sa finals, so iba rin ‘yung mga players nila composing rin of veterans din ‘yung mga players nila parang kami,” Paraiso seconded.

“Ayun nga ready lang kami kahit ano ibato sa amin paghahandaan namin sila, paghahandaan din nila kami, so magandang laban. ‘Yun lang bibigay namin ‘yung best namin, tiyaka di kami papatalo.”

Written By

Writer. Letranite. Basketball nerd and a life-long Los Angeles Lakers fan. My love for sports brought me here.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Northport made sure to get the job done before its long break, hacking out a 90-85 victory over Meralco to extend its streak to...

Basketball

Northport exhibited poise beyond its youth, securing a 124-120 victory against Phoenix in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Friday at the SMART...

Basketball

NLEX outlasted NorthPort in overtime, 107-100, in a pulsating PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup debut on Friday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Robert...

Basketball

By: Luis Licas Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s loyal Knight will have his hands full in the coming months. Long-tenured mentor Allen Ricardo...

Basketball

Colegio de San Juan de Letran did not look far during its search for a new Knights head coach. The 20-time NCAA seniors basketball...

Basketball

De La Salle University parted ways with one of its future foundations on Monday evening. Multiple sources closely monitoring the situation confirmed to Tiebreaker...

Basketball

Colegio de San Juan has scored a blue-chip recruit. Chris Hubilla will no longer head to University of the Philippines for college, instead committing...

Basketball

Colegio de San Juan de Letran continued its rebuild on Tuesday, securing the transfers of two former UAAP players. Drex Delos Reyes and Emman...

Advertisement