ONE can never underestimate the heart of the champion and Letran can attest to that.
Despite the departures and absences that have hampered the Knights, they are still the defending National Collegiate Athletic Association champions and still seen as a legitimate contender in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
The challenge now though is how those who remain can pick up from where their seniors left off—one that coach Bonnie Tan has laid down for the Muralla-based dribblers.
“I always tell them that it’s a big challenge for the guys who’re left behind. That’s how basketball players are, they come and go,” Tan said. “But I told them that now that you’re in Team A, here’s your chance. You’re given the opportunity to shine and showcase your talents.”
Guys like King Caralipio, Neil Andrey Guarino and Kyle Tolentino were quick to seize the opportunity and Tan expects to see more from them when Letran shoots for its third win against Lyceum of the Philippines on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
“I know we’re undermanned, but the mantra is to ‘never give up,’” said the Knights coach as his side seeks to join La Salle at the top of the Group B standings in the 1 p.m. game.
Letran is riding a high after a thrilling 74-72 win over Far Eastern University on Sunday courtesy of a Guarino trey with 15.3 seconds to go.
The Pirates, on the other hand, are determined to bounce back after tasting a tough 88-65 loss to the Green Archers to drop to 3-1 won-lost.
College of Saint Benilde (3-2) is also shooting for its third straight win against Emilio Aguinaldo College (2-2) at 9 a.m., followed by the clash between skidding University of Perpetual Help (1-3) and winless Arellano University (0-4) at 11 a.m.
Adamson University (4-1) aims for back-to-back wins against University of the East (2-4) at 3 p.m., while University of Santo Tomas (1-1) and San Sebastian (1-1) part ways at the 5 p.m.