Colegio de San Juan de Letran head coach Bonnie Tan credited the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde for almost snatching the win against his wards on Saturday on the opening day of NCAA Season 97.
The defending champions trailed by as much as 12 in the first half with the Blazers' AJ Benson and Will Gozum leading the way for this season's hosts. But Letran roared back in the second half, unfurling their title defense bid with a pulsating victory.
But while Letran ended up winning the game, Tan admitted that the Charles Tiu-mentored Benilde squad gave them a scare.
"It was tough. Before the game, talagang we were blindfolded going into the game, 'di namin alam kung sino yung mga makakalaban natin," said Tan in the post-game interview.
"But 'yun nga, I’m expecting na we will have a good game, dikit ang laro, pero ang layo ng lamang samin kanina, double-digits so medyo hirap talaga."
"Well-coached 'yung Saint Benilde."
Tan also credited his main gunners for rallying Letran in the crucial stretch with Rhenz Abando and Fran Yu helping them book the win.
"Ayaw magpatalo ng mga bata and [we are] lucky na nagstep-up 'yung mga veterans natin, Fran Yu and Rhenz and yung big men namin."
—JMB, GMA News
