By Richard Dy
Sunday, 08
03, 2003
Letran coach Louie Alas yesterday said he is not even close to thinking of a finals appearance this National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) season, but it looks like his team is on the right track.
Finishing the first round with an impressive 5-2 win-loss record, Letran tied San Beda College at the leader board at the end of the first round.
Alas said he is pleased with his team's performance in the first round, adding it's nothing but a product of hard work.
“Masaya ako siyempre dahil na-surpass na naming yung three wins naming from last season. Hindi na kasi puro X's and O's lang pag nasa game na kami. Sinasabi ko sa kanila na alam na nila actually ang gagawin nila,” explained Alas, an accomplished coach, who after helping Letran to the 1998 NCAA title, went on to guide the Manila MetroStars to the national championships in the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association in the 1999 season.
Letran's twin defeats this season came at the hands of Mapua Institute of Technology (66-58) during its first game of the 2003 season. The other came against Jose Rizal University (78-67).
Alas admits his team can't have the monopoly of victories, which is why he keeps blurting the word “hard work” and “tough defense” day in day out.
The Letran mentor doesn't have the luxury of having a talented big man in the mold of Kerby Raymundo or a shooter like Christian Calaguio, both players being vital cogs in the Knights' 1998 Centennial NCAA conquest.
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