For the second straight year, Colegio de San Juan de Letran has secured the commitment of the top prospect playing outside of the NCAA and the UAAP.
A year after securing the transfer of St. Clare star Jimboy Estrada, the Knights have obtained the transfer of Centro Escolar University ace Daniel Marcelo.
Marcelo, a 5-foot-10 Filipino-Canadian guard, committed to Letran on Thursday.
For Marcelo, what led him to choose Letran over other universities that courted him was the vision head coach Allen Ricardo has for him.
“They have a great program over there, and I feel like Coach Allen’s culture and system fit my style of play and what I can bring to Letran,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
During his freshman year, Marcelo shone brightly during the UCAL Basketball Tournament, averaging 18.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
But it was in the PBA D-League where he truly made his mark.
(C) PBA Images
The 20-year-old Vancouver native recorded averages of 13.9 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.6 rebounds, leading the Scorpions to a surprise second-place finish during the Aspirants’ Cup.
His string of stellar performances in the PBA’s second league included a 31-point explosion against San Beda during Game 1 of the semifinals.
Once he serves his residency, Marcelo will meet the rest of the Grand Old League’s top dogs.
“I’m excited and a bit nervous about this new path in my career. I wouldn’t say I feel pressure,” he expressed.
“I’m just doing what I love, and being able to play at the next level is a dream come true.”
Leaving CEU is hard for Marcelo, but he vows to carry the school with him in the NCAA.
“I’m beyond grateful for my CEU family: Coach Jeff (Perlas), Coach Rob (Labagala), the rest of the coaching staff, my teammates, and our bosses for giving me the opportunity to suit up in purple and pink,” he shared.
“They took a chance on a kid who almost gave up on his dream. None of this would be possible without their support and the time they invested in me.”
Come NCAA Season 101, the Knights will have a loaded lineup that will also boast the likes of Emman Galman, Jun Roque, Peter Rosillo, Mark Omega, Carlo Ferreras, and Thomas Reid.
