Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Louie Sangalang was once again a monster in the rebounding department in Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s revenge win against Intramuros neighbor Lyceum of the Philippines University.
The 6-foot-4 bruiser posted a double-double as he grabbed 18 rebounds with 12 points, two assists, two blocks, and a steal in the Knights’ 69-64 win over the Pirates which was their seventh straight win in the ongoing NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament.
The last time the Knights faced the Pirates in the first round, they suffered a 69-79 defeat, and Sangalang was not there in that game because of a two-game suspension due to taunting a referee.
“Meron kami pinaghuhugutan – ‘yung laro namin sa Arellano wala akong rebound nun kahit isa kaya need ko bumawi. Kasi lalo sa rebounding malayo ‘yung puwesto namin sa rebounding eh – ‘yung team namin. Kaya kailangan namin [mag improve],” shared Sangalang, who was limited to six points and a rebound in the Knights’ 65-53 win over the Chiefs last October 21.
“Kailangan na control-in ‘yung emotion namin lalo second round na, crucial na ‘yung mga every game; crucial na dahil nag pu-puwestuhan na. Kaya importante na talaga every game, kaya wala ng extra-extra emotion – ‘yun lagi sinasabi sa amin.”
Moreover, Sangalang is still embracing his new nickname, ‘Saint Louie’. It was given to him for being a changed man as he is learning how to control his emotions every game.
Even Knights head coach Bonnie Tan expected that Sangalang could change and adjust throughout the game this second round.
“Nakita naman natin ‘yung adjustment ng bata. And, what we like about Louie [Sangalang] lang kasi he’s a fighter. And, he’s willing to learn, and to adjust whatever puwede niyang ma-improve sa laro niya,” expressed Tan.
As Letran earned their tenth win this season in thirteen games, Sangalang and his team will do everything they can to defend their championship title.
Games will be tougher from this point onwards but the Knights are ready to give everything for a rare three-peat.
“Hangga’t kaya namin, tuloy namin. Basta one game at a time lang kami – play to win.”
