With new coach Bonnie Tan calling the shots, expect the Letran Knights to go for another Final Four finish when the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament reels off this Sunday.
The Knights will start their campaign by meeting last year’s runner Lyceum Pirates at 4 p.m., in one of two opening games at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Tan, who coached the Pirates three seasons ago, will try to steer the Knights against his former team, who made it to the finals in the past two seasons under coach Topex Robinson.
The Knights have missed the semifinals in the last two seasons, with former mentor Jeff Napa quitting when the season ended last year.
Still, the Knights finished with a respectable record of 13-5 (win-loss) at the close of elimination round last season.
“Right now, we’re still learning. Sino-solve pa namin lahat ng mga ginagawa naming mali kasi hindi pa maubos e. Pero kami naman, ang gusto namin sa team is we’re trying to improve every game.” said Tan, who is back in the league after a four-year absence.
Later, the defending champion San Beda Red Lions will take on host Arellano University Chiefs at 4 p.m.
Jerrick Balanza and Bonbon Batiller are considered as Letran’s heart-and-soul, with Larry Muyang and Jeo Ambohot taking turns in the middle.
Vast improvement in the game of Ato Ular in his game in the wings will make him another player to look out for.
Much is expected of Muyang, who was last year’s Rookie of the Year, along with Ambohot, a former Gilas Pilipinas cadet.
Also, the return of Balanza will boost the Knights’ morale. His career last year was sidelined by a brain tumor that forced him out of action.
The 6-foot-2 smooth-shooting Balanza has since recovered is expected to be one of the team’s leaders.
