IT'S not about how you start, but how you finish - that’s the biggest thing Letran has proven this NCAA Season 101.
From having the second-worst start in the league to being the first team to clinch a finals spot, the Knights have surely fought their way back onto the big stage, regardless of whether they were up against a twice-to-win disadvantage or figuring in a best-of-three series.
And now, the Allen Ricardo-coached squad has the luxury of extra time for preparation ahead of their return to the finals on Wednesday.
But instead of resting, Letran is actually joining the audience at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday to watch the do-or-die duel between San Beda and Benilde that will determine who will stand in its way to the championship.
“We will go to the Big Dome on Sunday as a team para malaman namin kung sino yung makakalaban namin. And then, from there, siyempre, pag-aaralan na namin parehas,” Ricardo said.
“Especially going to the fourth quarter, ma-identify naman na natin yan. But if down the stretch ang labanan, you know, going to the last two minutes, it will boil down, siyempre, kung sino yung may mas gusto tsaka sino yung may mas disiplina sa dulo.”
Of course, though basketball fans are already salivating at the idea of a title series between the archrival Knights and Red Lions, the remaining finals slot may very well be deserved by the Blazers, who had forced this sudden death, after all.
And rightfully so, until no clear winner advances, Letran isn't picking a favorite, either.
“Wala naman actually. You know, I guess, kahit sino naman, it will be, you know, good for the league, having San Beda-Letran or St. Benilde-Letran. So sa amin, kung sino na lang ibigay ni Lord, tatrabahuiin lang namin,” Ricardo said.
Even Ricardo’s star rookie, Titing Manalili played coy, saying, “Kahit sino naman doon, paghahandaan naman namin talaga kasi we know na malakas both teams.”
Letran seeks revenge
Though Manalili and Ricardo kept their minds open on possibly renewing their historic rivalry or preventing a Benilde title for the third time in four years, they still remained candid on their shortcomings against both teams.
For Ricardo, their encounters with the Blazers during eliminations yielded five-point and six-point losses, even as their opponents were missing reigning MVP Allen Liwag.
So the prospect of facing them at full-strength is a daunting task, to say the least.
“Siyempre, sa St. Benilde, 0-2 kami dun. Ang lakas ng St. Benilde eh, lalo na bumalik na si Allen Liwag. Siyempre, gusto rin naman namin makabawi,” he said.
But for Manalili, a two-time champion in the juniors division, facing their fierce foes from Mendiola when the lights are at their brightest sounds scintillating.
“Pinapanood kasi ni Deo [Cuajao] nung nakaraan yung laro ng Letran tsaka Beda. So, gusto ko rin maramdaman yun kasi nga, talagang rivalry,” he said.
Regardless of who Letran will ultimately duke it out with, they will most certainly come out with guns blazing.
As Manalili emphasizes, “Kahit sino naman manalo, paghahandaan namin. Pareho naman silang may utang sa amin.”
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