Colegio de San de Letran secured a Final Four ticket in the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball after defeating Emilio Aguinaldo College, 84-77, on Saturday.
The Knights earned their ninth consecutive win with three games left to play in the elimination round. They also got their 12th win in 15 games this season.
Head coach Bonnie Letran stressed that losing is hard for them, especially in the last three games in the elimination round. There, they suffered defeats against Lyceum of the Philippines University, San Beda University, and Arellano University.
“Sa last practice namin, I mentioned to the team that is hard for us to lose eh. Again, ngayon down the stretch, semis namin; papuntang semis nga, so ang hirap nga matalo. Kahit na aside from playing a nothing-to-lose na team,” said Tan moments after their win
“Ayun nga, ang hirap maka-recover kaka-bounce back again sa mga last games na namin sa eliminations pag natalo.”
However, Tan was happy more than the win against the Generals since his bench players are now stepping up and ready to play harder – especially in the finals, with their seniors like Fran Yu, Tommy Olivario, King Caralipio, Louie Sangalang, and Brent Paraiso nearing graduation.
“As a coach, we’re happy na nag-step up ‘yung second or third stringers namin. Kasi down the line, baka kailangan namin sila pagdating sa semis, if ever ‘yung mga knockout games namin,” pointed out Tan.
“Ayun nga, masaya kami dahil dati sinasabi namin mga players na – lalo na sa mga rookies and sophomore players namin… Kumbaga, we have five players graduating so kailangan namin maging ready maiwanan.
“So ‘yun. One way of giving confidence ‘yung mga etong game nga, na may kasama pa silang beterano, na sana makapag step-up sila. Para sa mga future season na games na lalaruin without mga beterano, kaya nilang i-handle din ‘yung team,” he continued.
Letran is still in the number one spot, just above teams like College of St. Benilde, Lyceum, San Beda, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, and Jose Rizal University.
And teams like Arellano, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, EAC, and Mapua University are now out of contention.
With room to breathe for the Knights, Tan will look to give his team a well-deserved rest while preparing on Wednesday against their archrival.
They lost to the Red Lions last September 30 via a 68-76 defeat. And they will look to get a revenge game against the Mendiola cagers.
“Siguro mag de-decide kami mamaya kung mabibigyan namin ng break mga players, especially crucial game against [San] Beda.”
