If it came to it, Colegio de San Juan de Letran head coach Allen Ricardo said his wards could still go for another extra period during their 82-73 triple overtime escape against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Saturday.
That's how strong the physical conditioning of the Knights is, according to the tactician, as they outlasted the ALTAs to cruise to their third straight victory and more importantly, claim the solo second spot in the ladder at 5-2.
"Sa akin prior to that, ‘yung strengthening ng mga bata. Pinupulikat na si Jimboy (Estrada) pero nagpa-sub lang saglit pero nakita ko ‘yung conditioning ng mga bata, sabi ko kung ganito at umabot pa tayo ng fourth overtime, kakayanin pa namin," Ricardo said.
Up to the last seconds, Ricardo was able to use his full rotations with the likes of Estrada, Kevin Santos, Deo Cuajao, and Joseph Nunag powering through the extended match.
They took advantage of a depleted Perpetual side that lost rookie sensation Mark Gojo Cruz to cramps with 1:48 left in the regulation while Christian Pagaran also went down with cramps early in the payoff period but returned in the extra periods.
JP Boral, one of Perpetual's top scorers in the game, was also subbed out late due to fatigue.
But Ricardo stressed these didn't make their jobs easier.
"Actually kahit naman medyo nawala na si Gojo Cruz, napalitan naman ni Boral. Si Pagaran, fighting for survival eh, nakikita ko na ‘yung spirit nung bata at talagang hindi rin bumitaw," Ricardo added.
"Gano’n din naman ako sa kanila. You always give respect to your opponents no matter what."
And while they are now at the upper half of the standings, Ricardo said they still have a lot to improve as the season gets deeper.
"Actually wala pa eh. Kumbaga, maganda lang tignan pero malayo pa. We still have second round. Right now, we’re 5-2 so wala pa ‘yun eh," he said.
"Useless lang ‘yung mga pinapanalo natin kung hindi tayo aabot sa Final Four."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
