San Sebastian coach Arvin Bonleon finally gets revenge on Letran after 32 years, but job still not done

After 32 years, San Sebastian College-Recoletos head coach Arvin Bonleon is finally on the winning side opposite Colegio de San Juan de Letran. This after his Stags completed a huge 91-84 win over the rebuilding Knights behind a clutch takeover from his veteran guard Paeng Are as San Sebastian cruised to 1-0 in NCAA Season 100 on Sunday. And it isn't just the victory that was sweet for Bonleon, it was also sweet revenge for the coach who feels he has some "unfinished business" in the league.

Back in 1992 when he was still a player, Bonleon and his Stags fell to the Knights during the Season 68 finals . It was so heartbreaking for Bonleon that he had to go home and disconnect from the sport for a time. "Naalala niyo nu’ng presscon tinanong niyo ako kung sino [ang gusto kong] kalaban sa finals, Letran ako dahil nga may unfinished business ako dahil sa championship nu’ng player pa ako," Bonleon said.



"Magandang motivation ‘to sa mga players na nanalo kami sa first game." He may be new to the NCAA coaching circle, but Bonleon isn't exactly new as a shot caller. And that may have played a role in their stunner against the Knights, who were also parading a new coach in Allen Ricardo.

Are led the way for the Stags, tallying a career-high 30 points alongside six rebounds, six assists, and one steal to complete an all-around outing and help the Stags get a morale-boosting victory. With Are at the forefront, Bonleon made a smashing NCAA debut and he gave huge credit to his third-year ace. "32 years talaga and ngayon lang napasarap sa feeling and talagang nag-work hard ‘yung mga players ko kasi undersized, underdogs kami pero malaki tiwala ko kay Paeng," he added.

"Kaya sabi ko, ‘Paeng, this is your time.’" But Bonleon said exacting revenge on Letran wasn't his priority, stressing they treat every game as equal as their eyes are dead set on winning the title. "Sabi ko sa mga bata, every time na maglalaro, we take it as a championship.

Wala na tayong bukas, ibuhos na natin and one game at a time kami." —JMB, GMA Integrated News.