Colegio de San Juan de Letran opened a brand new campaign the same way they kicked off the previous one: with a loss. But rookie coach Allen Ricardo is pinning his hopes that the Knights can write a different story this time around.
The Knights find themselves in a familiar situation after losing steam down the stretch for a 91-84 loss against San Sebastian College-Recoletos in their NCAA Season 100 opener last Sunday.
The scenario was similar to how Letran began their Season 99 run last year when they bowed to Jose Rizal University in overtime, 85-79. That loss was followed by six more defeats before the Knights hacked out their first win against the Stags. It then took them nearly a month before coming up with another victory, repelling Arellano University in a tight affair.
Letran finished Season 99 with a 2-16 record. And Ricardo is looking to change their fate in the centennial edition of the league.
"I pray to that, sana hindi maulit ‘yun," Ricardo said on Sunday.
"We all hope na makabawi kami sa susunod na game, mas tapangan pa namin ‘yung paglalaro namin para hindi na umabot sa gano’ng point ulit. Hindi naman ako nawawalan ng pagasa sa mga bata basta hindi ko iiwan ‘yang mga yan."
Ricardo knew handling Letran would come with a lot of pressure given the high standards within the Letran community. That's why he stressed the perfect time for the Knights to bounce back is on Friday against JRU.
"Ang hirap lang kasi first game and as a new coach, ang daming mga mata, bawal magkamali, bawal matalo pero sa akin, tuloy pa rin ako doon sa pag-change ng personality tsaka character nila."
And against the Heavy Bombers, the Knights will need more than what they had shown against the Stags with Ricardo highlighting the importance of closing out games.
"Nawala lang ‘yung toughness namin on both ends sa offense and defense," the two-time NCAA juniors champion coach added.
"Medyo nawalan din ng killer instinct na you're up and suddenly bibigay mo lang nang gano’n gano’n ‘yun, eh pinaghirapan niyo ‘yun."
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
