Letran’s Jimboy Estrada. Photo from Facebook/Strong Group Athletics. 

MANILA — Colegio de San Juan de Letran is seeking to move on from its disastrous campaign in NCAA Season 99 when the league opens its centennial year on Saturday.

After a historic three-peat in the NCAA, the Intramuros-based squad ended the Season 99 men's basketball tournament with a 2-16 record -- a worst-ever for Letran.

Fortunately for them, a champion coach from their senior ranks is now set to take over their hoops program — former Letran Squires tactician Allen Ricardo.

"We'll take it one game at a time, but I'm excited this Sunday. I'm confident with the boys," he said during the league's press conference on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

A Letran product, Ricardo was the architect of their back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, with the former Knights assistant coach taking pride in his system that boasts hard-nosed defense, balanced offense, discipline, and their signature buzz cut. 

These, according to Ricardo, are the things that he hopes will also translate well in the collegiate ranks of the NCAA. 

"Actually, kung titignan mo ‘tong Season 100, parang nasa rank No. 6 to 10 lang kami, so we'll just take it one game at a time," he said. 

"I cannot promise anything, pero ako naman, lagi kong sinasabi na yung legacy nila as a basketball player and as a person [ang nakasalalay dito]. Hindi matatawaran yung paano sila maglaro at magpakamatay, so ito yung best time na maipakita niyo at ma-redeem niyo yung nangyari from last season," he said. 

"So una, papakalbo ko na sila sa Friday," he quipped. "Pero you know why zero? Kasi you always start from the ground. You always stay humble no matter what. May reason kung bakit zero ang pina-gugupit ko sa mga bata, para makita yung unity nila as a team at mas ma-appreciate sila ng community."

"I do believe na as a coach, yung techniques matuturo mo yan. Pero kung ‘di naman maganda yung attitude mo, useless ang technique. Importante sa akin yung right attitude at right body language. Naniniwala ako na pag tama yung ginawa mo sa buhay, tama yung ugali mo, may magandang balik sayo lagi. Yun yung principle ko as a person," he continued. 

One player that is a testament to these is Letran's prized rookie Jonathan Manalili, as the 6-foot-1 Cebuano was able to make a name for himself in the high school scene and also win the Finals MVP in his last year of eligibility there.

READ: How Letran's Titing Manalili made a name for himself in the NCAA

Unfortunately, he was not included in the final roster that Letran submitted ahead of the NCAA's opening this Saturday, September 7, at the same venue. 

Letran’s Allen Ricardo. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Facebook.

"Meron na siyang operation by mid-September, so sabi ko sa kaniya, mabilis lang naman 'tong season na 'to. By January, we'll come back stronger," said Ricardo, while also refusing to disclose the particular injury that Manalili is dealing with.

"'Di ko masabi eh, pero nakuha niya nung naglaro siya ng ligang labas."

There have been talks that Manalili is ruled out for Season 100 due to academics, with the young guard needing to complete his units in senior high first before becoming eligible to play, but Ricardo insists that this is not the case. 

"Oo [niru-rule out ko yan.] So yun na yung napag usapan namin ni Jonathan, na we'll see about Season 100, pero 'di naman ibig sabihin na wala siya sa Season 100 eh magpapabaya siya," he added.

Instead, he is opting to look at the players who can step up in Manalili's absence as they hope to turn their fortunes around this year.

"Andiyan sila Edzel Galloy, Jimboy Estrada, and Nathan Montecillo, pero again, iba yung playmaking skills and abilities ni Jonathan," said Ricardo.

And aside from this, Ricardo is also hoping that their recent tuneup with Ateneo de Manila University can also contribute to their development and growth in NCAA 100. 

"Medyo shaky kami for the past two weeks, pero I would like to thank coach Tab Baldwin na nagkaroon kami ng tuneup against Ateneo. Medyo nagkaroon kami ng a little bit ng [eye opener], we changed our principles a little bit," he bared.

"I'd like to thank Ateneo and Coach Tab Baldwin for that. Marami kaming natutunan, and we'll see that on Sunday," added Coach Allen. 

The Knights will open their campaign on Sunday, September 8, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan against San Sebastian College-Recoletos at 12:00 p.m.

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