With a title to defend, Colegio de San Juan de Letran went back to its strengths in disposing of a gutsy University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in their NCAA Season 97 Final Four match.
According to Letran head coach Bonnie Tan, all they did was to bank on their experience, especially in crucial games, and their winning attitude as they held off an Altas squad that nearly scored a crucial upset in the game.
"Siguro 'yung advantage nga namin dito, sila (Perpetual) na 'yung pinaka-conditioned na team, pinakamabilis na team pero let's work on our experience naman," said Tan, whose team booked its returned to the finals.
"Labas natin 'yung experience natin, 'yun 'yung advantage natin. And lumabas naman 'yung winning attitude nila, 'yung winning experience nila on how to close out games."
"Although breaks of the game naman 'yung panalo, pero we'll take it."
Tan admitted that Perpetual played good defense against Letran as the Altas forced Letran to commit 15 turnovers while also outrebounding the defending champions, 44 to 41.
But Tan shared it was their offense that spelled the difference in the win.
"Halftime kasi, we were down by three pero 'yun nga, sabi ko sa mga boys, hindi naman tayo first time ma-down by three sa halftime. Yung iba nga down by five pa, or seven pero naka-recover tayo," Tan said.
"So sabi ko lang, pasensiya lang lalo na sa binabato nilang defense which is yung zone defense nila. Sinabi ko lang na we have to rotate the ball, and execute lang yung pinractice nating zone offense."
Rhenz Abando led the way for Letran, finishing with 24 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block but it was Fran Yu who closed out the game with crucial shots.
The former Finals MVP racked up 13 markers, five boards, three dimes, and a steal to help Letran.
—JMB, GMA News
