THERE’S a big bullseye at the back of defending champion Letran. To dodge the bullet, Knights coach Bonnie Tan has a simple ploy for his charges to follow– show up like every game is a title battle.
Letran tries to stay perfect when it battles Mapua University today in the 97th NCAA basketball tournament at the La Salle Green Hills Gym in Mandaluyong.
The curtain-raiser is set at 12 o’clock before San Beda University collides with San Sebastian College at 3 p.m.
“Mapua is a tough team. Every game dito is like a championship game. We will take it as a challenge and as a championship game against Mapua,” Tan said.
“We will prepare against Mapua like it’s a championship game,” he added.
The Knights go into the match armed with a 68-57 win over the Perpetual Help Altas last Sunday.
The likes of Rhenz Abando, Fran Yu, Allen Mina, Jeo Ambohot, Louie Sangalang, and Pao Javillonar are expected to lead Letran’s bid.
Holding the same record with the Knights, the Cardinals, coming off a 65-59 triumph over the Golden Stags three days ago, are equally determined to stretch their win run.
Mapua strategist Randy Alcantara is looking for his players to play more as a team and give added effort.
“Lahat naman ng teams sa NCAA ay trini-treat namin na malakas so siyempre kailangan naming mag-prepare,” Alcantara said.
“Kailangan tuloy-tuloy lang iyong ginagawa namin plus iyong effort at chemistry.”
The Cards will rely on Warren Bonifacio, Paolo Hernandez, Brian Lacap, and Adrian Nocum.
The Red Lions, also sporting a 3-0 slate, whipped the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers 67-53 last Sunday.
James Kwekuteye, Ralph Penuela, JB Bahio, Damie Cuntapay, JV Gallego, Tony Ynot, and Rhayyan Amsali will be counted upon by San Beda.
San Sebastian will pin its hopes on JM Calma, Itchie Altamirano, Rommel Calahat, and Kenneth Villapando in its attempt to improve its 1-2 record.
The keenly anticipated Letran-San Beda clash, a rematch of the thrilling finals series in 2019 originally scheduled on Tuesday, will be moved to the final day of eliminations on April 29.
