It was a tough last week for Letran after losing Brent Paraiso and Louie Sangalang due to suspension.
Things did not get better after dropping their previous games to both San Beda University and Lyceum of the Philippines University.
However, it’s not all bad news as the back-to-back champions saw a bright light in their rookies who had great games against San Sebastian.
“Yung back-to-back losses namin medyo nakakakuha din sila [rookies] ng playing time. Although talo kami, yung sa practice ginagawang positive na lang namin yung mga ibang ginagawa ng mga rookies na at least nabigyan sila ng playing time, and yon nagpakita sa loob ng court,” said Tan after their 77-69 victory against the Stags.
“We took it as a good experience na lang kasi nga talo kami so ginagawa namin, sabi namin dalhin na lang sa mga ganitong klaseng game namin at saka sa mga future games namin. Sana magamit namin sila ulit and makapagdeliver sila,” he continued.
One of the rookies who stepped up in this game was Rafael Go who had his best game yet in his young NCAA career. The 21-year-old went perfect 5-for-5 from the field with 11 points, two rebounds, and two assists in just under 18-minutes of action.
And it’s not just Tan who was impressed with the rookie’s performance. Former Knight and two-time NCAA champion Jerrick Balanza also approved of what he saw with Go.
“Actually lalo na yung kay Rafael Go, naririnig ko siya pero ngayon ko lang siya nakita maglaro. Kasi nung nakiki-practice ako sa kanila di ko naman siya gaano nakikita eh dahil nasa third unit pa ata siya non,” said the former NCAA All-Star MVP.
“Ngayon naimpress ako sa kanya. Okay naman pala yung bata, matalino siya maglaro atsaka importante as a rookie, composed siya e. Okay siya tignan e, di ba?”
But for the former Batang Gilas, it was just an opportunity that he made the most out of.
“Grinab ko lang yung opportunity na binigay ni coach. Kasi lagi sinasabi nila coach na once dumating yung opportunity, i-grab lang kasi baka hindi na siya bumalik,” said the former under 16 cager.
“Ang importante sakin is manalo kami. Bonus na lang yung mga ganito po.”
The Knight sure has a bright future as he has still four years left in his young collegiate career.
