Despite putting up career numbers every time he faces College of St. Benilde, Louie Sanagalang still thinks that the Blazers are the toughest opponent in the NCAA Season 98 Seniors Basketball Tournament.
During their second-round match-up against St. Benilde, Sangalang put up a career-high of 21 points on 64.4-percent shooting, alongside nine rebounds and three blocks. He also limited his counterpart Will Gozum to just 12 markers on 6-of-16 shooting.
This time around, in the Game One of the Finals, the 6-foot-4 big man raised the ceiling. He posted a new high of 24 points on 10-of-11 shooting with 10 rebounds, giving the Knights a 1-0 series lead over the Blazers.
“Para sa’kin, sila yung pinakamahirap talaga na kalaban eh. Pero good thing, plan namin ilimit sila, yung mga key players nila. Ayun talaga yung game plan namin,” said Sangalang, a native of Bataan.
“Kasi depensa talaga yung magpapanalo sa’min eh. Sila, number one sila sa scoring. Sabi nga ni coach, kami umaasa kami sa depensa namin.”
Letran’s defense was on full display, allowing St. Benilde just eight points in the payoff period. Benilde finished with 75 points, which is below their season average of 81.7 – the league’s best.
This season, Sangalang is not eligible to win any awards following his suspension due to his ejection in the first-round clash against Mapua.
The 24-year-old bruiser, however, claimed that he and his teammates have no interest in any other award besides the championship.
“Sa’min, ang individual award, hindi mahalaga sa’min,” said Sangalang as King Caralipio is the only Knight who will most likely have a regular season award. “Iisa lang goal namin. Kahit wala nang may award sa’min basta makuha namin yung championship Kasi siyempre, lahat naman ng teams ayun yung goal, diba?
“Pero yung individual award, ‘di namin pinag-uusapan yan. Kahit sa kanila na ‘yun.”
