Letran Knights gather in a team huddle during a game in the Filoil Cup 2017. Photo by Luis Alfonso Tamondong.
If there's something the new look Letran Knights have to work and focus on, it's their confidence and character as a team.
The Knights failed to defend their crown last NCAA Season 92 as they bowed out early in the tournament with a disappointing 9-9 record under new head coach Jeff Napa. With Season 93 nearing, the Knights had plenty of learning this offseason in their preparation for the upcoming collegiate basketball wars.
PRESEASON BUTTERFLIES
Napa believes their team chemistry isn’t firm enough for them to battle stronger this year, that is why competing in a couple of preseason leagues helped them in determining their own strengths and weaknesses.
"So far so good naman, nade-develop na ‘yung team chemistry namin. Pero long way to go, meron pa akong hinahanap na unti-unti pa nilang dine-develop,” he bared.
However, the preseason games justified Letran’s flaws as a team. The Knights recently played in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup which unfortunately saw them finish a team worst 1-7 record. The team registered just one win against University of Santo Tomas which was actually done in overtime.
Nevertheless, Napa saw the experience worthwhile for it helped them measure their own capacity in competing against other teams.
“Medyo mabigat sa amin ‘yung depensa eh, ‘yun ‘yung kailangan namin i-adjust para mas maganda pagdating ng season,” said Napa, identifying factors on which he thinks the team needs more improvement. “Good thing nakita namin ‘yung mga kailangang i-work ngayong off-season,” he added.
GROWTH OF A YOUNG TEAM
Despite the disappointing performance in the preseason, Napa also saw the stint as a way of bringing in confidence to boost the morale of his boys especially to the new members.
"Yung confidence level nila sa loob ng court nakuha nila sa mga games. This team is [composed of] young ones eh,” Napa said. “Sobrang bata ng team kailangan ko bigyan ng bigyan ng kumpyansa sa mga games.”
After the exit of McJour Luib, Felix Apreku, and Jomari Sollano due to graduation, it’s now up to other veterans like JP Calvo, Bonq Quinto, Jerrick Balanza, and returning top gunner Rey Nambatac to take over and handle the leadership responsibilities for the squad.
“Kailangan kaming mga leaders, kami din ‘yung mag build sa kanila para maging leader din sila,” said fourth year forward Bong Quinto. “Kasi lahat naman kami dito pwede maging leader eh, so ayun ‘yung pina-practice namin every day,” the 6-foot-1 Quinto added.
Furthermore, the team’s overall potential does not only rely on its offensive nor defensive improvements, but on the character the players offer each game.
"Just give their best lang kumbaga ‘wag sila magpapabaya then yung total effort sobrang kailangan nun," Napa said.
As usual, Rey Nambatac is expected to lead the Knights this season. But the fifth year guard failed to deliver enough for his team in the preseason league due to a hyperextended knee he endured in practice. Nambatac only played in two of Letran’s eight games as coaching staff decided to sit him out the entire tournament to prevent risks.
“He’ll be ready this coming season. Mas maganda na ‘yung healthy siya,” said Napa.