Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 25) – Letran Knights head coach Bonnie Tan downplayed the favorite tag for the Muralla-based squad in defending their title in the NCAA Season 97, which tips off on Saturday at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.
“Humahabol pa kami kasi ibang-iba yung performance ng players dito sa preparation namin. Kulang pa talaga sa jelling,” Tan said.
[Translation: We’re still catching up since our players have different performance each during our preparation. We still lack jelling on our players.]
On paper, the Knights have a strong chance to clinch back-to-back titles in the men’s seniors basketball tournament as their solid lineup was bolstered by former University of Santo Tomas standouts Rhenz Abando and Brent Paraiso.
Season 95 Finals Most Valuable Player awardee Fran Yu will lead the way for Letran along with holdovers Jeo Ambohot, Allen Mina, King Caralipio, Kurt Reyson, Pao Javillionar and Mark Sangalang.
Tan said Letran’s fiercest rival, the San Beda University Red Lions, is still a major threat for all teams this season.
“Maraming bago talaga and based sa mga kuwento-kuwento and posts, San Beda nandiyan parati (They have many new recruits and based from stories and posts, San Beda remains a threat),” said Tan.
Letran edged San Beda for the title in a close best-of-three series in Season 95, to end their four-year title drought.
The Mendiola-based Red Lions will bank on James Kwekuteye and Franz Abuda and are backed by former Red Cubs Rhayyan Amsali, Yukien Andrada, Justine Sanchez, and Tony Ynot.
The two celebrated schools will banner the opening day doubleheader of NCAA Season 97 on Saturday, where the opening ceremonies will begin at 2:30 p.m.
The Knights will open their title defense campaign against host school and the retooled College of Saint Benilde Blazers at 3:30 p.m, while the Red Lions will meet former rival Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates at 7:05 p.m.
NCAA Season 97 games will be played every Tuesday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday, which will be streamed on the NCAA Philippines website (www.gmanetwork.com/ncaa), and NCAA Philippines Facebook page and YouTube channel.
