Colegio de San Juan de Letran head coach Allen Ricardo emphasized the need for the Knights to embody the 'next man up' mentality as they try to salvage their Final Four dreams in NCAA Season 100.
The Muralla crew suddenly finds itself in a free fall, losing five of its six outings in the crucial second round after an impressive first round run that saw the Knights rack up six wins against just three losses.
To rediscover their form, Ricardo said his wards need to understand that their program does not just revolve around their guards Jimboy Estrada and Deo Cuajao.
"They need to realize that they need to step up, next man up, in terms of ‘pag na-shut down si Cuajao and si Estrada," Ricardo said.
"Kailangan they have the courage to step in ‘pag na-limit na si Cuajao and si Estrada."
Estrada and Cuajao are the two lethal weapons in the Knights' arsenal.
The star transferee Estrada is averaging 17.0 points per game together with 7.86 rebounds, 5.36 assists, 0.79 steals, and 0.93 blocks while Cuajao is posting 12.27 markers along with 1.93 boards, and 1.33 dimes, making them the bread and butter of this rebuilding Letran side.
But the Knights will be needing more production from their supporting cast if they want to make a last-gasp attempt to reach the semifinals.
Currently, Letran is in shambles after winning just one game so far in the second round to bomb out of the current Final Four picture with a 7-8 win-loss record.
Ricardo said the Knights, who are eyeing to redeem themselves following a lackluster 2-16 campaign in the previous season, will use the much-needed break to reflect and gear up for their upcoming games which include a rematch against league-leading De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on Friday.
"We need to pause for a moment lang muna then we try to redeem ourselves going into our next game," the rookie tactician added.
"Ang dami naming mali. Dito sa basketball kasi kailangan pauntian ng mali para malaki ‘yung chances mo na manalo."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
