NCAA: Letran still groping for improvement, chemistry
Letran coach Rensy Bajar.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—A rare four-peat may be in play for Letran but that’s not the only goal of new coach Rensy Bajar.
Despite the Knights being earmarked as the team to beat for NCAA Season 99, Bajar said his team is still a work in progress with a brand new lineup at his disposal.
“For us, this is what I always tell the team; every practice, we need to improve our system and chemistry. We need to fix those. Maybe in this coming NCAA season, our maturity will be developed in every game,” said Bajar during the NCAA Season 99 press conference at Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday.
“Those are my wishes heading forward so that in the end, we’ll have a seamless run and at the same time, hopefully, everybody’s healthy and nobody gets injured,” he added in Filipino.
The Knights will enter the new season hoping to establish a new core following the departure of Fran Yu, Brent Paraiso, Louie Sangalang, Tommy Olivario and King Caralipio.
Letran guard Kurt Reyson.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
A new-look Letran side will now have to rely more on Kurt Reyson and Pao Javillonar, who will have big shoes to fill.
Bonnie Tan, the architect of Letran’s three-peat, also left his post to be University of Santo Tomas’ team consultant and Northport’s head tactician.
Still, with Bajar being Tan’s assistant in the past, not a lot has changed in the locker room for the Knights, according to team captain Kurt Reyson.
“So far, coach Rensy has already been with us since 2019 so nothing has really changed [in the system]. There were some additions to our plans but just a little because there are new players here,” said the shifty guard.
“In other words, coach Rensy went with the flow for the new kids because for the past three seasons, Letran had veterans in the team.”
Despite the major changes over at Letran, College of St. Benilde coach Charles Tiu thinks that the road to the championship still goes through the Knights.
Letran plays host Jose Rizal University on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena to open its title-retention bid.
