The defending champion Letran Knights are keeping their fingers crossed that they will stay on the winning track in their next games in the 99th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
Coach Rensy Bajar said this after the Knights pulled off a 86-71 swamping of the San Sebastian College Stags to finally score their first triumph in eight games.
“I’m positive (about) it and enjoy-in namin ‘tong win na ‘to then bukas balik kami to prepare for St. Benilde. Positive ako na sana ito na ‘yung turning point for our season, for us this season,” said Bajar.
The Knights will take on the College of St. Benilde Blazers on Sunday at the FilOil-EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
In Friday’s matches, the Blazers will meet the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals at 2 p.m., while the San Beda Red Lions will play against the Stags.
The Knights saw action without Kurt Reyson, who was nursing a groin injury, while veteran big man Pao Javillonar played for just three minutes because he was still recovering from the flu.
The entire bench took turns in scoring for the three-time reigning champions throughout the match.
Neil Guarino knocked in two triples to bring Letran to a 72-52 cushion in the final 7:32.
“Masaya kasi kahit papaano nalampasan namin ‘yung 0-7. Nakaisa na kami, despite na medyo kulang-kulang ‘yung team, maraming may sakit,” said Bajar.