Letran is gearing up for Sunday’s deciding Game 3 of the NCAA finals against St. Benilde with or without key player Fran Yu.
“Hopefully ma-lift ‘yung suspension. May appeal kami,” said Letran assistant coach Jarren Jarencio during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Yu, in his last playing year in the NCAA, was slapped a one-game suspension for a “disqualifying foul” on St. Benilde’s Mark Sangco in Game 2 which was won by the Blazers last Sunday.
The victory forced a rubber match on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo between the three-peat seeking Knights and the Blazers, eyeing their first NCAA title since 2000.
Jarencio said the Knights are hoping for the best and bracing for the worst.
“Kahapon nag-adjust na kami sa practice. Nag-meeting na kami kung sino ang papalit kay Fran sa rotation sa offense at sa defense. Pero mas-okay kung makakabalik siya,” added Jarencio.
The Letran official, who is the son of NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio in the PBA, also believes that momentum had shifted in favor of the Blazers. But the one-week break heading to Game 3 may nullify it.
“Ang maganda lang is one week ang break. Mapipigil ang momentum. Ganu’n din ang nangyari sa amin after winning Game 1,” he told the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
Jarencio said the Knights are preparing for the final game of the season the way they should and since the game will be played in Antipolo, the team will head to the province of Rizal way ahead of the game.
“Bubble na kami sa Antipolo. Baka one day ahead nandu’n na kami,” he said.