NCAA: Letran flips the script, eyes Season 102 title run with twice-to-beat advantage

Detailed summary

Colegio de San Juan de Letran will enter the NCAA Season 102 men's basketball quarterfinals as the top seed in Group A after wrapping up its group-stage campaign with a 9-4 record.

Colegio de San Juan de Letran will enter the NCAA Season 102 men's basketball quarterfinals as the top seed in Group A after wrapping up its group-stage campaign with a 9-4 record.

The approach, however, remains the same for head coach Allen Ricardo and the Knights, who are keeping their focus on winning games rather than dwelling on their twice-to-beat advantage.

"Actually, wala naman. 'Di naman namin iniisip 'yung twice to beat kami. Iniisip lang namin, we have to finish every game, win every game, that's it," Ricardo said after Letran's 85-83 win over the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Tuesday.

In Season 101, Letran entered the postseason at a disadvantage, having to beat Arellano University twice in the quarterfinals before pulling off a come-from-behind victory over Perpetual in the semifinals.

However, the Intramuros-based crew eventually got swept by San Beda University in the finals, extending its championship drought, which dates back to Season 98.

The roles have now been reversed, as the Knights enter the playoffs with the upper hand against the winner of Thursday's play-in matchup between Mapúa University and Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Asked which team the Knights would prefer to face, Ricardo stressed that both potential opponents deserve equal preparation and respect.

"Sa'kin, kahit sino. Again, parehas magaling 'yung coach, parehas PBA coach. So, ako, isa sa motivation ko 'yun every time na may nakakalaban na ganu'ng kalibre, talagang kailangan paghandaan ko ng mabuti at paghandaan ng team."

"Expect a really physical game [with] those two teams, Lyceum and Mapúa. Kailangan lang namin pag-aralan ng mabuti 'yung ginagawa nila."

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