They are not two-time defending champions for nothing.
On Wednesday, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights showed what many people already knew about the team: that they had the heart of a champion.
And Letran head coach Bonnie Tan admitted he was glad to have a little bit of luck on their side as well as they escaped Jose Rizal University in a 101-97 overtime thriller on Wednesday in NCAA Season 98.
"It's all about heart and swerte," said Tan in the post-game interview.
"It's JRU's game na talaga eh so kaya lang na-shoot pa sa dulo ni Kurt Reyson, he played a good game, 9 out of 14 and hindi na pwersado 'yung mga tira. Wala na akong masasabi sa bata na 'yan."
JRU led nearly all the way through until Letran's third year guard Reyson buried a huge triple that knotted the match at 89-all with five ticks left to spare. The 5-foot-tall guard then again starred in the extra period to finish with a career-high 31 points and steer the Knights to their first win of the season.
For Tan, it's time for Reyson to own the spotlight, especially now that veterans like Jeo Ambohot, Allen Mina, and Rhenz Abando have departed the Muralla team.
"For me, it's time for him to step up kasi dati nao-overshadow siya ng mga veterans. We're just happy with the win."
Tan also admitted that they weren't exactly sure how their first outing would go given a new-look roster.
"Going to the game, talagang bilndfolded kami, hindi na namin alam kung paano pa ipanalo 'yung game, hindi namin alam kung sino 'yung first five namin."
"We're just blessed na na-pull through namin."
—JMB, GMA News
