The Letran Knights ended their elimination round campaign with a 14-4 record and 2nd twice to beat advantage, losing to Perpetual Help in the 1st round then Lyceum, EAC and San Beda in the 2nd round.
With an output of 73 points per game, the Knights are the no. 1 offensive oriented team in the league. They have a potent starting unit led by top PBA draft prospect Raymond Almazan with an average of 14 points, 14 rebounds and a good 40% from the field. Almazan has resurrected his basketball career from near oblivion in Season 88 on his way as one of the top bigs in college basketball.
Mark Cruz has increased his scoring output from 10 points in Season 88 to 14 points while dishing out 3.7 assists has immunity in Coach Garcia’s free style system. From 231 shot attempts last year, Cruz has been the team’s high volume shooter with 286, still a far cry from Kevin Alas’ 431 attempts from the field last season. “Dati hindi nila magawa yon, pero ngayon binigyan ko sila nang freedom”, said Coach Garcia.
The system has been working well for the Knights with inspired performances from Kevin Racal (12 points, 7 rebounds), Reneford Ruaya (6.81 points) and rookie Rey Nambatac (8 points), not to mention veterans Jonathan Belorio and Jamil Gabawan. Minus Kevin Alas and a few others, its core is comprised of veteran players ready and able to step up at any given moment.
Coach Robinson has been in the NCAA since 2011 and has somehow witnessed the Knights’ rise over the years, “Mas beterano pa nga sila kaysa sa San Beda”. Last year was a good test for them. Losing streaks, they’ve climbed a mountain all the way to the finals by beating an Abueva led Golden Stags twice in the semis. Their experience from Season 88 has taught them how to win.
The Knights pose a threat from anywhere on the floor offensively and in my opinion, the Knights are one of the best jump shooting teams in college basketball and Coach Robinson was right on when he said, “All can shoot”, because most their players can contribute offensively especially from beyond the arc with guys like Mcjour Luib and John Tambeling waiting in the wings.
This is Coach Garcia’s 2nd tour in the NCAA. At the pro -level, he is fully aware that defense wins championships, “Worry ko lang talaga depensa”, as the Knights allow their opponents to score within the 68 point range.
The Golden Stags, on the other hand, had lost 7 games during the elimination round – twice to Letran and San Beda, Mapua, JRU and Lyceum – then earned their 3rd place finish with a 12-7 after their playoff win over Perpetual Help, 81-71 last October 29.
I agreed with Coach Garcia when he said, “Sa tingin namin San Beda pa rin team to beat, pero pareho lang lahat”, but not against a team that’s on an upswing and peaking at the right time.
Coach Robinson tried to downplay his chances but I felt he has the makings of a possible upset.
The Golden Stags have a young nucleus. Rookies Jaymar Perez, the Golden Stags’ scoring leader with 15.39 points, 7.3 rebounds and 37% from the field, Leodaniel de Vera, 8.47 points 7.4 rebounds, former Staglet and FEU Tamaraw, John Ortuoste, with 14.56 points and 4 rebounds, not bad for a guy who just recovered from a back injury, and Center Bradwyn Guinto, form the main elements of Coach Robinson’s rotation with 3rd year veteran Jovit Dela Cruz (11.11 points, 7.3 rebounds) to lead them.
Back up big man, Ranimark Tano, and guard Mark Trinidad will provide the spark off the bench, both are capable offensively from mid to long range with a 49% and 38% shooting respectively from the field.
Both are lethal offensively. Experience and depth will count in the semis.
The result, Letran in 1. JMP
No comments:
Post a Comment