OF the three championships that Letran won under his watch, Alfrancis Chua believes that the NCAA Season 98 seniors basketball crown will go down as the sweetest.
"Oo naman," he answered in the affirmative after Letran outlasted St. Benilde in three hardfought games.
See Trip to Japan, hefty bonus for Letran Knights for completing three-peat
Chua, San Miguel's sports director who also serves as the special assistant to the Letran rector for sports development, said this season was really special given the trials coach Bonnie Tan and the Knights had to endure.
In NCAA Season 95, Letran was an underdog and had to climb the stepladder behind the leadership of Jerrick Balanza, Larry Muyang, and Bonbon Batiller before hurdling the favored San Beda and deny the Red Lions a perfect season.
Meanwhile, transferee Rhenz Abando's MVP and Rookie of the Year stint ensured that the Knights dominated the field as the likes of Jeo Ambohot and Allen Mina also contributed in an 11-0 romp.
Before Season 98 started, the Knights lost two key guys in Abando, who turned pro, and Ira Bataller, who was deemed ineligible due to academics.
The team also battled positive COVID-19 results to start the season.
Through it all, Chua's support to the team through Ramon S. Ang's Petron and to Tan never wavered.
"Sabi ko nga kay Bonnie, unti-unti lang. By doing that, we're using our bench players at nakaka-develop tayo," he said. "Yung mga di nagagamit at yung mga rookies, nagkakaroon na ng kumpyansa kasi nakakapaglaro na sila, so good experience yan lahat hanggang madala natin sa championship."
In Game Three, Letran did not have team captain Fran Yu, suspended one game for elbowing College of St. Benilde's Mark Sangco.
But the Knights pulled through.
King Caralipio, Louie Sangalang, and Brent Paraiso led the fight, getting contributions from Kobe Monje, Rafael Go, Kevin Santos, and Kyle Tolentino.
"Tignan mo yung mga naglaro sa Game Three, puro rookie pero nagkaroon na ng kumpyansa kasi nakapaglaro na sila dati," Chua said.
"To win a championship, seven to eight players can do. Ang laban na dyan is quality. Kung may mabunot tayo ng konti, they play two to three minutes, what is your quality?"
"Kaya ang sabi ko sa mga bata, di tayo tatalunin niyan. Kung ano mang ginagawa nila sa atin, walang problema yan dahil ang bola, di nila kayang kontrolin at hindi pwedeng sabihan yun. Sariling kusa yun at kung shu-shoot siya, shu-shoot siya."
"Sinabi ko lang kay Bonnie after the game, pupunta ka sa akin, yayakapin mo ako at masasabi mo lang na tama ako."
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