Letran’s Rey Nambatac (6) dribbles against two San Beda defenders. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
It’s the rivalry that has practically defined the NCAA and on Sunday, San Beda took revenge on its nemesis Letran with an impressive 84-70 victory in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Tournament.
It was the two teams’ first meeting since the Knights took the NCAA title from the Red Lions, but for Rey Nambatac it’s just like any other game.
Nambatac said the preseason is just part of the Knights’ preparation for the NCAA, and their loss to San Beda is nothing but a variable in their championship equation.
“Ito na rin yung training namin para sa NCAA, lalo na opening game pa namin ay San Beda,” said Nambatac, who finished with 13 points. “Kahit papaano alam na namin laro nila, pagdating sa practice sa Wednesday nakapag-adjust na kami.”
With a new coach in Jeff Napa guiding them, Nambatac and the rest of the Knights will have to adjust to the new system.
Good thing for the Knights, Napa’s pressure style of defense is similar to the team’s former coach in Aldin Ayo and Nambatac said Letran is at “70 percent” in terms of how far the Knights have gotten themselves accustomed to playing to their new mentor.
What’s still missing, however, in this Knights team is the luxury of having a couple of go-to guys that can take over their games in a snap.
Letran enjoyed the services of Mark Cruz and Kevin Racal during their championship run and under Napa’s control, the Knights of present are not in the same mold.
“Sinabi dati ni coach Jeff na ang team na ito walang star player,” said Nambatac.
What Napa is doing, though, is to allow his players to play their respective offensive styles during the preseason to gauge what they can do come the NCAA season.
“Sa ngayon hinahayaan lang kami laruin ang laro namin, wala nga kami masyadong play na ginagawa, gusto ni coach Jeff ilabas laro namin para malaman kung ano ang weaknesses or strengths namin.”