Four games into NCAA Season 99, the La Salle Green Hills Greenies came away with their first win of the season in a nail-biting encounter with the Arellano University Braves.
Second-year head coach Renren Ritualo is aware that his boys’ composure has been tested across their fixtures so far, faltering in crucial moments through their three prior outings.
“It wasn’t easy, we have to work on our consistency pa,” Ritualo shared.
He noted that LSGH nearly fumbled anew against Arellano, allowing a 12-0 run with just minutes left in the fourth. If it were not for Guillian Quines in the clutch, the Greenies might have remained winless.
Ritualo remained adamant in their push to remain contenders this season, claiming that their first two losses could have gone their way.
Key ghosts that linger on LSGH are the losses of Luis Pablo and Seven Gagate. However, Ritualo spoke about the elephant in the room emphasizing they have no excuses despite the loss of their Season 98 stars.
“Everybody says it’s a rebuilding team, but for me, every time we step on the floor I want to win, I won’t give any excuses, we just have to do what we’re supposed to do the right way and keep pushing and encouraging each other to pull this season off,” the La Salle great said.
It is evident that Ritualo still has a great relationship with his team, placing full trust in the ability of Quines to work down the final stretch.
“Thankful ako kay Coach Ren kasi binibigyan niya ako ng opportunities, and yung last play namin, sinabihan niya rin ako na ako na raw mag-take over ng game and kunin ko ‘yung bola sa teammates ko, and successful naman yung nangyari,” said Quines.
Apart from Quines, Ritualo praised everyone who contributed to their first win.
“I commend the players for a job well done. I have to commend the other players who really stepped up, especially since James [Ison] is not one hundred percent and Dale Ortega is not present now because of the suspension. Still, everyone pushed together to get this win.”
Ritualo hopes that this win will ignite a spark in the Greenies to get back on track and continue the eliminations with renewed vigor.
