DESPITE the exit of Rhenz Abando and Jeo Ambohot, three-peat seeking Letran remains as the yardstick in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament which begins tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Coach Bonnie Tan knows that the Knights, who completed a perfect 11-0 campaign in Season 97, need to move up their game several notches higher to remain in the throne.

“Of course mahirap but again it’s going to be a big challenge for all the players, yung mga veteran players natin sa team,” Tan said during last Monday’s press conference.

With Abando bringing his wares to South Korea and Ambohot already in the pros, Letran needs the leadership of Fran Yu, Brent Paraiso and Mark Sangalang as it braces a bumpy ride ahead with a bevy of contenders raring to unseat the Muralla-based squad on top.

One of which is Intramuros neighbor Mapua, last season’s losing finalist.

After bowing to the Knights in the Finals, coach Randy Alcantara vowed that the Cardinals will be a better team in Season 98 with Warren Bonifacio, Paolo Hernandez, Arvin Gamboa, Rence Nocum and Toby Agustin leading the pack.

Although its performance in the off-season leagues ended up in disappointments, Mapua has picked the lessons for the team to grow and mature.

“Tinitignan namin kung saan kami nagkulang sa individual improvement ng players,” said Alcantara. “Malaki yung experience na na-gain ng mga bata”

Hoping for a big bounce back after missing the Finals for the first time since 2005, San Beda hopes to redeem itself this season under new coach Yuri Escueta.

“We are trying to get better every game,” said Escueta. “The preseason games helped a lot and we learned a lot from it so hopefully come the NCAA, sanay na kami sa sinusubukan naming sistema.”

James Kwekuteye will be the key for the Red Lions to make it back from they usually belong, while Peter Alfaro, Yukien Andrada, Jacob Cortez, Justin Sanchez and Tony Ynot are looking forward to be the better version of themselves this season.

University of Perpetual Help System Dalta surprised everyone by making it to the Final Four and gave Letran everything to handle before getting bundled out of contention.

With that experience, coach Myk Saguiguit hopes that the Altas will remain a force to reckon with and go deeper in the season with Kim Aurin returning for his final year and the solid support unit led by Jielo Razon, Jef Egan, Mark Omega and Joey Barcuma.

“It’s just the same process,” said Saguguit. “In Season 97, yung team namin, nag-overachieve. Kumbaga, ang naging maganda lang yung players ng Perpetual ngayon, very confident.

Despite losing JM Calma to graduation, San Sebastian had an impressive showing in off-season leagues behind Ichie Altamirano, James Una and Rafael Are which coach Egay Macaraya hopes to translate to a return trip to the Final Four.

“Improvement. Yun ang isa sa pinu-focus ng San Sebastian. Alam naman natin na below par ang last season namin so we focused on improvement and we tried to play more games,” said Macaraya. “I guess, we are getting there and hopefully, madala namin sa NCAA season.”

College of Saint Benilde, which has the longest active Final Four drought running for 20 years, hopes to make it all the way this time after a major collapse in the Season 97 play-in tournament.

The Blazers finished fourth in the single-round eliminations but lost to the Red Lions and the Altas in succession to miss the Final Four.

“Hopefully, we can be a tougher team,” said CSB coach Charles Tiu.

For last season’s remaining non-Final Four teams Arellano University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Lyceum of the Philippines University and Jose Rizal University, it’s all about getting better this year with better preparation for the tournament.

Cade Flores, Wilmar Oftana and transferee Shane Menina will be crucial for the Chiefs to rebound after a four-win campaign last season.

“Umaasa kami na matutulungan kami ng mga recruits namin, lalo na iba sa kanila veterans na rin,” said Arellano coach Cholo Martin.

The Generals, for their part, will turn to Allen Liwag, Ralph Robin and Kriss Gurtiza as they hope to deliver for the school being the league’s first-time hosts.

“We’re never satisfied. Importante sa amin na ma-build yung winning attitude para maabot namin yung gusto naming marating,” said coach Oliver Bunyi, as EAC failed to reach the Final Four last season due to a string of near-misses that marred its campaign.

After missing the Final Four last year, there’s no way for the Pirates but to go up with Mclaude Guadaña, John Barba and Omar Larupay hoping to produce better performances this time.

The Bombers, whose lone win came from the hands of the Blazers last season, are glad to have Ry dela Rosa back after missing the entire Season 97 campaign due to injury, to support JL delos Santos and Jason Celis.