Letran braces for tough four-peat bid in 'level' NCAA 99 field

MANILA, Philippines – The title defense of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran will be “tough” in the upcoming NCAA Season 99 men's basketball tournament, its new head coach said.

Knights coach Rensy Bajar, who replaced Bonnie Tan in the offseason, said that their quest for a four-peat will be difficult especially with some of their veterans now out of the team.

However, he said that the team will fight.

“This is a tough season because we have a lot of veterans na nawala… But we will battle all the way. Lalaban at lalaban kami,” Bajar told reporters at a press conference Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

NCAA Season 98 runner-up College of Saint Benilde said that the tournament will be very competitive.

Benilde head coach Charles Tiu said the league saw a lot of upsets last season, and this year, he sees “more of the same.”

The other coaches said that Letran is still the team to beat as they are aiming to secure their fourth straight men’s basketball championship.

They, however, were in agreement that the league is now a level playing field, pointing out that all teams improved.

“All games will be competitive. We are looking at all nine teams, walang umangat, pero umangat ang level ng competition,” JRU head coach Louie Gonzales said.

Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara, for his part, kept it short and sweet — it is everybody’s ballgame.

San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta acknowledged that teams cannot take days off against any team.

“Teams are able to prepare much better this year,” Escueta added.

The Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers and the reigning champions will kick off the tournament on Sunday, September 24.

In the second game, the Lyceum of the Philippines will be face last season’s runners-up College of