Colegio de San Juan de Letran head coach Bonnie Tan admitted that his players were overwhelmed with emotions going into their dominating 80-60 win over erstwhile undefeated Mapua University in the NCAA Season 97 on Friday.
With 4:59 to spare in just the opening period, the Knights' Louie Sangalang was slapped with a disqualifying foul after throwing the ball at Warren Bonifacio's face.
Despite the chippy play early in the game, Letran remained focused as the defending champions kept their unbeaten record intact at 4-0 while their Intramuros neighbor in Mapua dropped to 3-1.
"Gigil talaga 'yung mga players ko so admitted naman na may ginawang extra 'yung player namin so he (Sangalang) has to pay 'yung whatever penalties no'n," Tan told GMA News Online on the heels of their fourth consecutive win.
"'Di na siya nakabalik pero nabigyan naman natin ng chance 'yung iba na makalaro."
Tan said that there was added pressure on the players' shoulders as they were eager to get back at the Cardinals, who defeated them in the second round of the elimination round of Season 95, which they eventually ruled.
"Actually ang challenge ko sa team, last season sa second round, Mapua beat us. So 'yun ang challenge namin sa kanila na makabawi man lang kami," Tam added.
"Kasi itong single round na format natin, 'di na tayo makakabawi at buti nag-respond naman sila."
—JMB, GMA News
