Ex-Letran coach Alas upbeat on Knights’ title bid

ANILA, Philippines – Former Letran coach Louie Alas feels confident of the Knights' title chances this year.

The Knights and arch-rival San Beda Red Lions begin their NCAA finals rematch Monday.

Alas coached the Letran team led by his son Kevin that fell short against a vaunted San Beda squad coached by Ronnie Magsanoc in the finals that went the distance.

Now, both teams have different coaches with PBA experiences in Caloy Garcia for the Knights and Boyet Fernandez for the Lions.

But Alas is counting on the Knights' bitter finals experience last year to help them in their title campaign this season.

"Letran has better chance this year. Napakalaking help yung finals experience nila last season," Alas told Philstar.com.

Led by the vastly improved play of league MVP Raymond Almazan, the Knights earned a return trip to the finals.

"They're bound to play better this year dahil ang experience ay hindi naituturo. Yung kumpiyansa mo, yung knowledge mo sa game lumawak. But credit also to Raymond, to the coaching staff dahil sabi  ko nga sa kanila bago mag-start ang season, I'll be very disappointed kapag hindi sila makabalik ng finals," Alas added.

Even with the departure of their ace player Kevin Alas and solid center Jam Cortes after last season's debacle, Letran remained solid with Almazan, Kevin Racal, Jonathan Belorio and ace rookie Rey Nambatac.

"Sila ang pinaka-experienced na team this year. Nawala man sila Kevin, Jam at Junjun may pumalit naman sa kanilang slot," Alas said.