After their Final Four runs were cut short, Lyceum of the Philippines University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde returned to the hardcourt last Sunday for the inaugural battle for third place as the NCAA introduced the new format for the first time in history.
But while the Blazers, who carved out a 93-83 win against the Pirates to take the bronze, ended their campaign with smiles on their faces, the same can't be said about their counterparts from LPU.
“I don’t think so kasi ever since naman nasanay naman tayo na walang battle for third then all of a sudden may gano’n,” LPU coach Gilbert Malabanan said.
“So kumbaga for me, nabigla ‘yung mga players and lalo naman kami na kumbaga nasanay na kami sa gano’ng kultura. Parang nawala rin kasi ‘yung advantage namin and that’s my point.”
[I don't think so because ever since, there hadn't been a battle for third then all of a sudden, there it is. So for me, my players were surprised and us too because we've been used to the culture. We lost our advantage too and that's my point.]
The Pirates finished the elimination round in second place and could've finished third overall in Season 99 in spite of their losses to San Beda in their semifinal clash.
But Malabanan admitted that the notice from the league came late and they were only informed of the battle for third spot after their Game 2 loss to the Red Lions.
“Kita mo nga ‘yung mga players namin, parang naka-bakasyon na kasi after the game against San Beda talagang low morale na kami and I admit that,” he added.
“After ng San Beda game lang namin nalaman kaya medyo nabigla kami.”
[See our players, they were already like they were on vacation after the game against San Beda, we had low morale and I admit that. We only found out after the San Beda game so we were surprised.]
Still, Malabanan said they didn’t want to use that as an excuse for the Blazers while also giving credit to his wards for playing their best despite the absence of team captain Enoch Valdez and JM Bravo.
“I’m still proud of my boys, they were doing great and well. Hindi naman kami makakarating dito if not for their effort,” Malabanan shared.
“Actually we don’t think of it as a battle for third. Sabi ko, every game we have to honor and respect the game. We’re gonna treat every game as a championship game para by next season, iba na rin ‘yung iniisip namin.”
[I'm still proud of my boys, they were doing great and well. We wouldn't have gotten this far if not for their effort. Actually, we don't think of it as a battle for third. I told them, every game we have to honor and respect the game. We're gonna treat every game as a championship game so by next season, we'll have a different mindset.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
