Losing their third match in as many games, Colegio de San Juan de Letran head coach Rensy Bajar is not worried about his team’s slow start to NCAA Season 99.
“This is not the time to panic, but this is the time to trust the system, trust one another," Bajar said in an interview. "So 'yun 'yung kailangan namin ma-address in the coming games.”
(This is what we need to address in the coming games.)
The defending champions fell short against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 65-75 — their first ever loss to the Generals since 2015.
When asked about their 0-3 start, the Knights mentor chose to focus on what positives his troops can carry over to their next matches.
“So far in our first three games, winnable naman 'yung mga games. Problema lang namin down the stretch, dun kami nagka-kanya-kanya. Half of the team is bago pa lang, seven veteran players 'yung nawala.”
(So far in our first three games, they were all winnable games. Our problem is that down the stretch, that is where we do not play as a team. Half of the team is new, seven veterans are not with the team anymore).
“So 'yung maganda nito is as early as now, nakakakuha na kami ng ganitong klaseng game para at least there’s room for improvements. 'Yun 'yung kailangan namin tingnan as a team, sa video, na pwede naming dalhin sa susunod na game para matuto kami,” the Knights mentor added.
(The good thing about it is that as early as now, we get to experience these types of games. So at least there’s room for improvements. That is what we need to look at as a team and in the videos, things that we can bring to the next games so we can learn).
One of the veterans looking to lead this revamped Letran team is guard Kurt Reyson. However, the five-foot-ten guard struggled to get a hold of the game against EAC, as he went 1/12 from the field for only seven points.
Nevertheless, Bajar maintained his position that they will win games as a team, not with Reyson alone.
“Hindi porke't malas si Reyson ay hindi na kailangan mag-step up ng iba. It’s a team game, team effort dapat all the time.”
“Siguro 'yung mga naiwan ay kailangan nilang maging leader talaga, not only inside the court but outside of it as well. Kailangan talaga namin 'yung mga beterano during the crucial minutes because hindi dapat sarilihin at magtiwala din sa mga bagong player,” Bajar added in regards to his holdovers stepping up and taking charge.
(It's not as if Reyson's not on fire, no one should step up. It's a team game, team effort is needed all the time. Those left here should be leaders not only inside the court but outside of it as well. We need the veterans during the crucial minutes because we should not do this individually and we should be able to earn the trust of the new players.)
Bajar and the rest of the Knights will look to break their run of bad form when they come up against the San Beda University Red Lions on Friday afternoon.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
