Colegio de San Juan de Letran had gained some valuable momentum heading into its quarterfinal clash against Arellano University on Wednesday.
The Knights exacted revenge against their longtime rival San Beda University, 87-83, to wrap up the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball group stage.
A non-bearing game did not stop both sides from going all out against each other in the name of rivalry as they both needed the steam before tackling their separate quarterfinal assignments.
“Even though this was a non-bearing game, kailangan i-prepare natin yung team going into the playoffs. Hindi naman pwedeng we just play around [and not take it seriously]. We still need to win. It still matters,” said Letran coach Allen Ricardo.
(Even though this was a non-bearing game, we need to prepare the team going into the playoffs. We can't just play around. We still need to win. It still matters.)
The rookie takeover of Titing Manalili and Janti Miller was in the spotlight all game long as they both dropped their career-best performances with 26 and 34 points, respectively, proving that there’s no such thing as taking it easy when facing your nemesis.
“Kay Miller talagang halos bound for pro na yun eh. Ang galing. I’ve witnessed how he handled tough situations lalo na yung mga one-on-one. Iba talaga yung kalibre,” Ricardo said.
“Si Jonathan naman yung pagiging composed niya. At the same time, ni-ready namin siya sa sitwasyon na syempre pipisikalin siya o tatanggalin sa kanya yung bola. Siyempre kailangan namin siya tulungan to find ways on how to execute especially on the offensive end," he added.
"Sabi ko naman sakanya may green light naman siya to take over. Pag nakita niya open yung gap. You have to decide in that moment [the best possible move]. Yun naman yung ginagawa niya ever since magkasama na kami nung high school. I'm satisfied but we have to prepare better going into the game on Wednesday.”
(Miller, he's just about bound for the pros. So good. I've witnessed how he handled tough situations, especially the one-on-ones. He's a different caliber... With Jonathan, it's his being composed. At the same time, we got him ready for situations that they will be physical with him or they'll take the ball out of his hands. Of course, we need to help him find ways on how to execute, especially of the offensive end. I told him, he has the green light to take over. If he sees the gap open, you have to decide in that moment. That's what he's been doing since I was coaching him in high school. I'm satisfied but we have to prepare better going into the game on Wednesday.)
The morale boost came at the right time for Letran, which must win against Arellano University twice for a semifinal berth.
“For us, it’s no more tomorrow for Letran. Hindi kami pwedeng magtitipid doon possession per possession. Dapat start of the quarter pa lang kailangan makakuha kami ng momentum. From there, if we can control the game [it would be the best scenario]. But it will start with the defense. We have to limit their key players,” he said.
(For us, it's no more tomorrow for Letran. We can't be saving things for later, possession per possession. From the start of the quarter, we need to build momentum. From there, if we can control the game. But it will start with the defense. We have to limit their key players.)
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
