By: Neo Garcia
November 10, 2024, will forever hold a special place in Allen Ricardo’s heart.
Not only did Colegio de San Juan de Letran finally break a two-year losing streak against San Beda University, but it also marked Ricardo’s first win in the fierce rivalry.
And it took almost two decades for him to accomplish this feat.
“So special right now kasi nung kasama ko si Coach Louie (Alas), hindi kami nanalo sa San Beda. Siyempre, limitado pa ko that time and I was just starting,” said Ricardo, a Letran lifer, after Letran’s thrilling 75-71 victory over San Beda, which kept their playoff hopes alive in NCAA Season 100.
In the early 2000s, Ricardo served as an assistant coach to Louie Alas.
After leaving the walls of Intramuros, Ricardo honed his coaching skills with various teams and clinics.
He returned to Letran to coach the Squires after the pandemic and was later promoted to head coach of the Knights earlier this year.
Although Letran lost their first-round match-up, 64-66, on October 1, Ricardo took valuable lessons from that defeat.
“Ang hirap kasi pagtatapatan mo lang yung San Beda, magaling sila mag-execute, especially under Coach Yuri (Escueta) and his coaching staff. We were just trying to delay their offense,” he explained.
With the game tight, Ricardo turned to his ace, Jimboy Estrada, to close things out.
After a floater from Estrada and three free throws from Deo Cuajao gave the Knights a 70-65 lead, the Red Lions responded with consecutive and-one plays from Bismarck Lina and James Payosing, taking a slim 71-70 advantage with 45.4 seconds remaining.
But Estrada stepped up, sinking two crucial jumpers to give Letran a 74-71 lead with less than 15 seconds left, ultimately securing the victory and keeping their playoff aspirations alive.
“Every game, binibigay ko naman yung lahat. Focus kami sa next game,” said Estrada, who finished with 24 points, nine assists, five rebounds, a steal, and a block.
“Sabi niya sa akin kanina, ‘Coach, kahit anong mangyari, gusto kong maglaro sa Final Four.’ Kaya binigay niya yung best niya,” Ricardo added about Estrada.
Now, the Knights hope to defeat Arellano in their next outing while hoping for Lyceum and EAC to falter in their final two games.
Regardless of the outcome, Ricardo has no regrets.
“Nung nakita ko yung crowd, we just need a good start then quarter by quarter, ma-sustain lang namin. It’s special, especially coaching the Knights,” he said.
