The Letran Knights will face the winless San Sebastian Golden Stags on Friday afternoon without their starting power forward, Kevin Santos, who is serving a one-game suspension for his ejection due to taunting in the Knights’ last game.
Now facing a tall task, Letran’s starting center, Aaron Buensalida, insists that the Knights will not rely on just one player to make up for Santos’s absence when they take on the Golden Stags to continue their NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament campaign.
George Diamante Returns for Letran
In the Letran’ win over the Benilde Blazers last Tuesday, Santos was called for his second technical foul with 5:13 remaining after mocking his opponent following a slam dunk, resulting in his ejection—and now one-game suspension. Nevertheless, Buensalida remains positive that the team will perform well against San Sebastian even without the services of his frontcourt partner.
“Para sa akin naman, hindi lang naman nakarely yung team sa isang [player]. Everybody can contribute, lalo na ‘yung mga ibang big man,” he said in an interview with Rebanse.
Buensalido added that the return of 6-foot-4 forward George Diamante will be a significant boost to Letran’s frontcourt.
“And lalo na ngayon kababalik lang ni George Diamante so malaking bagay ‘yun para sa amin sa next game,” added the 6-foot-6 big man, who finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block against the Blazers.
With Buensalida expected to retain his starting role, Diamante could help fill the void in the frontcourt. Letran may also utilize its star forward, Denzil Sison-Walker, as a stretch five for much of its upcoming game.
The Big-Man Dynamics of Santos and Buensalida
In Season 101, Letran had a big-man trio consisting of Buensalida, Santos, and Mark Omega.
After the team settled for a runner-up finish and Omega was drafted by the Titan Ultra Giant Risers in the PBA, the Davao native said that his chemistry with Santos had remained strong over the years.
“Siguro sa tagal na rin ng pagsasamahan namin ni Kevin [Santos] throughout the games especially sa offseason, lalo na last year kasi kami lang dalawa yung talagang pinagsasama ni coach [Allen Ricardo] sa loob,” he explained.
As the Golden Stags aim to finally put an end to their nine-game losing streak, Aaron Buensalida will try hold the fort until his running mate returns from suspension.
