FRAN Yu's suspension for Game Three is a big blow to Letran's three-peat dream.
But for coach Bonnie Tan, this should only serve as a challenge to the Knights to strive harder ahead of the winner-take-all decider of the NCAA Season 98 seniors basketball finals on Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
"Mahirap mawalan ng leader na tulad ni Fran Yu. Napakalaking bagay ni Fran sa amin, isang beterano na alam na kung ano ang kailangan para manalo ng championship," Tan said of the senior guard, who will sit out what should be the final game of his college career owing to a one-game suspension.
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Letran still to appealed the disqualifying foul slapped on Yu for his elbow on Mark Sangco midway through Game Two last Sunday, but the NCAA Management Committee thumbed down the protest on Tuesday.
Reduced to a booster, Yu has made it a point to be on his teammates' ears, motivating them and giving them key insights ahead of the do-or-die clash.
Tan said YU's absence put the burden on the team's other leaders, particularly Brent Paraiso and Louie Sangalang, to maintain the Knights' focus and not be overcome by emotion in the fallout of Yu's absence.
"Hindi ito yung first time na nangyari na big game pero kulang kami. Ang maganda lang, handa yung ibang mga veterans like si Brent at si Louie para i-lead pa rin yung team namin," he said.
Tan is also laying down the challenge for the backcourt players Kurt Reyson, Tommy Olivario, and Kyle Tolentino to fill the void created by Yu's suspension.
"It's their chance para ipakita na ready na sila sa big stage, na kahit wala na si Fran, kaya pa rin ng Letran na makipag-compete," he said.
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