Despite having lost two of their best players due to graduation, defending champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights gave rivals San Beda College a fight on opening day.
The Knights, despite falling to multiple double-digit deficits in the game, continuously pushed the pace and slashed through the lanes.
With 1:37 remaining in the game, the defending champions were able to cut the lead to just three, 82-79, after a split by Bong Quinto from the stripe and a basket by Jom Sollano. However, Rey Nambatac succumbed to cramps, while Quinto and McJour Luib fouled out of the game, ultimately leading to their downfall.
“Medyo kapos. Hindi naman kuinulang sa rotation,” said first year Letran head coach Jeff Napa. “Foul trouble lahat. Wala naman akong magagawa dun kasi call ng mga referee yun.”
“Pero despite of that, pinakita naman ng mga bata na kung ano man ang mangyari sa kanila ibibigay pa rin nila yung best nila.”
However, the multi-titled NCAA juniors champion coach sees flaws in his team’s defense. San Beda committed 23 turnovers, but only seven came from steals.
“Marami kaming kulang on defense,” he rued. “Nung simula, we didn’t execute our game plan. On the latter part naman nag-eexecute naman pero kulang.”
With their next game happening on Tuesday, June 28, against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, Napa expects his team to be ready – especially the team’s second-stringers.
“At least natapos na namin yung first game. I’m sure in our second game, our players will be ready especially our bench. ‘Yun ang pinaka importante talaga. At healthy na kaming lahat.”
