Next stop: a rare three-peat.
With the sweep and the championship in the NCAA Season 97 still not fully sinking in, Rhenz Abando is already aiming to give the Colegio de San Juan De Letran three consecutive crowns in the men's basketball tourney.
"Three-peat. Ganon lang, okay na ako 'don," said the high-flying forward when asked what he is looking forward to next season.
("Three-peat. I'll be fine that.")
Letran is the second winningest school in NCAA basketball, collecting 31 crowns highlighted by 19 in the senior ranks and 12 in juniors. However, the only time they won the title three straight times was from 1982 to 1984.
They came close to achieving the same feat in late 80s when they won twice in a row in 1986 and 1987 but failed to cop the title the following year. A little over a year later, Letran again won two championships in a row, ruling Seasons 74 and 75 behind future PBA star Kerby Raymundo.
Fast forward to 2022, the Knights moved a championship away from getting that three-peat chip after dropping Mapua University in their best-of-three finals series on Sunday.
Abando, this season's top rookie and MVP, wants to be around to see that dream become reality come next season.
"Minsan lang kasi mangyari 'yon, 'yung three-peat so gusto ko ibigay 'yon sa Letran. Siyempre sa tulong din ng mga teammates and ng coaches ko," the 24-year-old baller said. "Sana magawa namin 'yon. Paghahandaan namin 'yon."
("It happens only rarely, so I want to give Letran a three-peat. Of course, with the help also of my teammates and coaches. I hope we can do that. We will prepare for it.")
—MGP, GMA News
