Colegio de San Juan de Letran head coach Bonnie Tan admitted that they struggled with dealing with a Mapua University side riding on a wave of momentum in Game 1 of the NCAA Season 97 men's basketball finals on Sunday.
The Cardinals were coming off a morale-boosting Final Four victory over the San Beda University Red Lions last Wednesday while Tan's own team had been on the shelf waiting on their opponent.
And Tan believes that energy from the previous game spilled over into this meeting, where Mapua held the lead for most of the game before a late comeback allowed Letran to come away with the win.
"'Yun ang mahirap na kalaban eh, 'yung momentum nasa side ng kalaban, meaning [they have] nothing to lose tapos they just won a crucial game against San Beda last Wednesday," said Tan after their 68-63 Game 1 win.
"Tapos kami nagpapahinga. 'Yung pagiging competitive, nakukuha ng mga regular na naglalaro kaysa doon sa matagal ang break. So at least ngayon pantay na kami, sa Sunday na 'yung next game namin."
After some struggles early, Letran got its first taste of the lead only in the last 45 seconds of the game after a Jeo Ambohot floater went in amidst a 9-0 run that turned the game around for the Knights.
Defending champion Letran completed the come-from-behind win, moving closer to clinching back-to-back titles.
Tan believes it was the Knights' championship experience that helped them overcome the Cardinals, who are in the finals for the first time since 1995.
"Heart of a champion. Talagang sinabi ko na ito na 'yung game na hinihintay natin, wag na nating sayangin 'yung mga sacrifices natin in two months," added Tan.
"Defense is the key, 'yung fourth quarter points nila naging nine points lang and 'yun, again, heart of a champion."
Letran now leads the best-of-three series, 1-0, with Game 2 scheduled for Sunday, May 22.
—JMB, GMA News
