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| The coaches pose together with a basketball as a sign of unity ahead of the upcoming NCAA season. Xy-Zha Cabanlong |
By Xy-Zha Cabanlong
PASAY CITY - Ahead of the opening of the 95th season of the NCAA, the Letran Knights boosted their line-up and took advantage of the offseason to strengthen their team all the more.
Coach Bonnie Tan will be leading the Knights to their quest to get the 18th championship title for the Senior Men's Basketball division.
Their first assignment would be on the opening day itself on July 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena, as they go up against last season's runners-up, Lyceum Pirates.
"So far, we did well with our preparation in the offseason. We played sa D-League and sa FilOil and it made us a better team going to the opening two weeks from now," Tan said.
Tan mentioned that almost half of the team will be composed of rookies, mostly coming from the Team B, who earned their spot at the first team.
However, the only roadblock in their preparation for the season is the absence of a training facility of their own as the Blessed Antonio Varona Gymnasium, more popularly known as the Letran Gym, was recently demolished to give way for the Quadricentennial Building - one of the marquee projects of Letran in celebration of the school's 400th founding year.
"It's a challenge. Parang destiny sa amin ito na napunta sa amin tong time na for two years mawawalan kami ng sariling gym. We’re struggling pero nasasanay naman na," Tan added.
The Knights, according to Tan had been accustomed to training at different venues since the demolition of the gymnasium.
Despite the lack of training facility, Tan thinks that his team is focused and prepared for Season 95.
"Our goal is to exceed the expectations sa amin. We aim to go beyond the semis," Tan said in parting.
Host Arellano takes on the reigning champions, San Beda, in the second game.
Follow her on Twitter: @_ichbinxyzha
"So far, we did well with our preparation in the offseason. We played sa D-League and sa FilOil and it made us a better team going to the opening two weeks from now," Tan said.
Tan mentioned that almost half of the team will be composed of rookies, mostly coming from the Team B, who earned their spot at the first team.
However, the only roadblock in their preparation for the season is the absence of a training facility of their own as the Blessed Antonio Varona Gymnasium, more popularly known as the Letran Gym, was recently demolished to give way for the Quadricentennial Building - one of the marquee projects of Letran in celebration of the school's 400th founding year.
"It's a challenge. Parang destiny sa amin ito na napunta sa amin tong time na for two years mawawalan kami ng sariling gym. We’re struggling pero nasasanay naman na," Tan added.
The Knights, according to Tan had been accustomed to training at different venues since the demolition of the gymnasium.
Despite the lack of training facility, Tan thinks that his team is focused and prepared for Season 95.
"Our goal is to exceed the expectations sa amin. We aim to go beyond the semis," Tan said in parting.
Host Arellano takes on the reigning champions, San Beda, in the second game.
Follow her on Twitter: @_ichbinxyzha
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