By: Aulyn Gwen Bergado, Nicole Lim
Coach Rensy Bajar of the Letran Knights optimistic on future wins at the 99th Season of the NCAA Men's Basketball. Photo courtesy of Thomas Dominick Borja of The LANCE.
After finally barging into the win column of NCAA Season 99 with an 86-71 victory against San Sebastian College Recoletos, Rensy Bajar bared his thoughts with his first NCAA win as the head tactician of the team.
“Positive ako na sana ito na ‘yung turning point ng our season,” the head coach stated that the win against the Golden Stags can positively influence the rhythm of the team as they stand on a 1-7 record now.
Bajar is also hopeful that the win will push the team to strive better as they face familiar foes Benilde Blazers on Sunday in their final match in the first round eliminations of the season.
“For the past games namin, once na nakuha na halimbawa ng isang player kumbaga, hindi na umiikot eh. So ‘yun ‘yung ineemphasize ko sa kanila eh we need to play as a team at execute lalong lalo na sa opensa natin." The mentor highlighted the ball movement woes of the defending champions.
“Actually, ‘yun naman ang lagi ‘kong sinasabi sa kanila eh. The more that we involve our teammates, mas maganda yung nangyayari sa team natin.” he added about the evidently successful ball movement in their first win.
Bajar also exclaimed that the Muralla-based team is still under a rebuilding process and that pressure as the defending champions plays a big part in the challenges that they face as a squad.
He said that the winnable games against JRU, Lyceum and San Beda were to be won, but they fell short on the brains of the game.
"Yun lang bilin ko sa kanila eh, mag enjoy lang kayo sa game. Hindi kayo kailangan ma-pressure, just enjoy the game. Kung sino dapat ma pressure dapat ako yun" Coach Rensy added, citing the championship pedigree of the team.
The first year head coach of the Knights also said that he wants the players to enjoy and bring out their experience in order to build up as a team and to focus on the game play.