Published December 3, 2022 5:30pm
Updated December 3, 2022 5:30pm
After their respective groups’ exits in NCAA Season 98, coaches Yuri Escueta of San Beda University and Gilbert Malabanan of Lyceum of the Philippines University weighed in on the looming title showdown between De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
For Escueta, he thinks the Blazers can go all the way in which. The rookie tactician, even after his Red Lions had been dealt a Final Four loss by Benilde, mentioned the wards of head coach Charles Tiu play properly inside their system, each on offense and protection.
Escueta additionally highlighted considered one of Benilde’s strengths: its depth. Led by the standard suspects in Will Gozum and Migs Oczon, and with ample help from the likes of Miggy Corteza, Robi Nayve, JC Cullar, Mark Sangco, Jimboy Pasturan, and others, the Blazers have greater than sufficient of their arsenal to doubtlessly spoil Letran’s three-peat bid.
“Tingin ko CSB. Aside from being well-coached, you could see how their players bought in to their system, defensively and offensively, and they have guys that can make tough shots,” Escueta shared.
“They have talented players in Gozum and Oczon and (a depth of) players who know how to do their role.”
Malabanan, in the meantime, performed coy. For the Pirates’ tactician, each groups have what it takes to carry residence the title, making him assume the sequence will attain a winner-take-all Game 3.
Letran is the reigning back-to-back champion after rising victorious in Seasons 95 and 97. Although a few of their key gamers have already bid the varsity goodbye, the Knights stay as harmful as ever.
Bannered by veterans Fran Yu, Louie Sangalang, King Caralipio, Tommy Olivario, and Brent Paraiso, the Muralla squad additionally has essential gamers in Kurt Reyson, Pao Javillonar, Kobe Monje, and Rafael Go.
“Actually, they are both good teams. Letran has experience on a championship and Benilde naman is doing good so I think it’s gonna be an exciting Finals,” mentioned Malabanan, whose group was eradicated by Letran.
“I think baka umabot pa nga ng Game 3 sa ganda eh.”
The groups will start their title sequence in Game 1 of the Finals on Sunday, 3 p.m., on the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Watch the sport stay on GMA and through livestream on the social media accounts of NCAA Philippines and GMA Sports PH.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
