By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
WITH the manner with which it lost Game Two of the just-concluded National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 finals, the Letran Knights could have easily caved in and lost hope; but no. Instead, the Muralla-based team chose to stick to the positives, turning their frustration to motivation on their way to being champions anew.
On Tuesday at the jam-packed Mall of Asia Arena, the Knights reclaimed the title in men’s basketball of the country’s oldest collegiate league, outlasting erstwhile defending champions San Beda Red Lions, 81-79, in their do-or-die Game Three.
The contest took a familiar route, tightly fought right from the get-go and decided only in the closing moments of the contest.
In winning their first NCAA title in four years, and 18th all time, the Knights showed the needed composure and grit to overcome the tough stand of San Beda.
Letran coach Bonnie Tan said how his players handled the situation they were in was a product of the challenges they had to deal with all season long, including their bungled plays late in Game Two that led to their defeat to San Beda.
“There is a reason for everything. That’s what I always tell the players. There was a reason there was a Game Three. When we lost in Game Two many said we were not going to bounce back from it,” said Mr. Tan of their Game Two loss that had them in control late but failed to complete the chances given to them to win the title right then and there, including a potential game-winner from Bonbon Batiller under the goal in the dying seconds.
“After the loss, the players picked up each other. There was no finger-pointing and moping. They stayed positive. Sometimes when a team loses the way we did in Game Two it explodes. But for us it kept the team stronger and the camaraderie became even tighter,” he added.
Mr. Tan went on to say that it was the case for them for Season 95, having to earn everything they had, making their latest title sweeter.
“We had a lot of trials all season long. In the step-ladder we worked everything for. In the finals we were up against defending champion San Beda, which won 18th straight (game). We just stayed positive and told ourselves we’re going to be okay. And it paid off,” said the Letran coach, who was in his first year handling the Knights.
Moving forward, Mr. Tan said the thrust for them is to build on the Knights’ latest achievement.
They, however, are going to miss the services of key cogs Jerrick Balanza and Bonbon Batiller, who already exhausted their eligibility. Also not returning is big man Christian Balagasay.
Balanza had a fantastic send-off, finishing his NCAA career with 27 points and seven rebounds in their Game Three victory to win the title. He is also a double NCAA champion, winning his first during his rookie year in Season 91.
Batiller also had it solid in redeeming himself from the blown opportunity in Game Two, finishing his NCAA career with 19 points.
Mr. Tan will now be banking on the holdovers in the team, led by finals most valuable player Fran Yu.
