IT DIDN’T take long for coach Caloy Garcia to figure out why his Letran Knights bowed to San Beda’s defending champion Red Lions in Game 1 of their best-of-three title series for the 89th NCAA basketball crown.
“We were too soft,” Garcia said at the media room of Mall of Asia Arena following his team’s 68-80 loss Monday. “We were not physical enough.”
For a team known for their toughness and no-nonsense defense, the Knights certainly failed to live up to their reputation, particularly in the final period, where they were outscored, 33-16.
Rebounding, which Garcia had noted could spell the difference in the series, didn’t go in favor of the Knights, 40-49.
The loss left the Knights on the cusp of another bridesmaid finish following the disappointment of last season where they bowed to the Lions in three games.
History also favors the Lions, who have won Game 1 in each of the seven championship series they ruled in the last eight years. Letran is seeking a first title since 2005.
Although he wasn’t exactly singled out as one of the players who failed to deliver, Knights center Raymond Almazan feels that the burden of improvement should come from him.
“I have to lead by example,” said Almazan, the newly minted league Most Valuable Player, in Filipino.
“I think I could do better from the performance in Game 1.”
While he was a force on the defensive end, Almazan lost some individual battles at the paint against the bull-strong Ola Adeogun, who also fired 16 points.
Playing with his future coach in the PBA, Yeng Guiao, and Rain or Shine teammates Chris Tiu, JR Quiñahan, Gabe Norwood and Beau Belga in the gallery to show their support, Almazan started making his presence felt only on the offensive end in the third quarter, where he sizzled for 14 of his 16 points.
Garcia, however, trusts his Knights to extend the series tomorrow.
“It’s not over. We’re still confident that we can beat San Beda,” said Garcia.
Meanwhile, the NCAA has chipped in P100,000 to relief efforts for victims of Supertyphoon Yolanda, which swept through Central Visayas last Friday, said NCAA Mancom chair Dax Castellano.