Daryl Valdeavilla and Nathan Egea are living a dream in their first year with Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Valdeavilla, the UAAP Season 86 Rookie of the Year, endured two one-win seasons at University of the Philippines Integrated School.
Egea, the UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year, was part of the Season 86 UPIS squad and went winless during his freshman year.
Both needed a change of scenery — Valdeavilla moved to Intramuros last year, and Egea joined him earlier this year.
“Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na magkasama ulit kami sa Letran,” said Egea, an 18-year-old from Marikina City.
“Kasi noong nasa UPIS pa lang kami, madami na kaming experience together, na naglalaro na magkasama. Noong umalis nga po siya, nalungkot po ako — akala ko po ‘yun na po ang last na magkasama kami maglaro sa ganitong klaseng liga.”
Valdeavilla added, “It feels great kasi we already know our strengths and how we play. May chemistry at bond na kami nung nasa UPIS pa kami, kaya we’re comfortable with each other.”
Wearing the Squires jersey, the two have become central to a Cinderella run.
Entering the playoffs as the second seed in Pool B, Letran eliminated defending champion University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in the quarterfinals, then outlasted Emilio Aguinaldo College–Immaculate Conception Academy in the semifinals to reach the Finals.
For the former Maroons, the feeling is both different and exhilarating.
“It feels different and great kasi before, palagi kami talo and isa lang yung panalo namin. It’s very frustrating, kaya sobrang iba talaga yung pakiramdam ngayon na umabot kami sa Finals. Sobrang saya,” said Valdeavilla, an 18-year-old guard from Calamba, Laguna.
“It’s a surreal feeling kasi yun nga, coming from a losing team to a winning culture — syempre iba yung experience, pero sobrang saya lang talaga.”
“Opo, sobrang sarap sa feeling na makapunta po sa finals, kasi bihira lang po ‘yun — once in a lifetime lang po ang mga ganitong situation,” said Egea.
In Game 1 against an experienced Arellano Braves squad, the duo delivered career nights.
Egea finished with 19 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Valdeavilla also scored 19 on 8-of-11 shooting, adding seven rebounds and three assists.
Their combined effort propelled the Squires to an 85–79 victory and put them one win away from the NCAA Season 101 Juniors Basketball Championship.
They remain focused and hungry for more.
“Yes, of course. It’s our dream to be able to play in the finals and win a championship, pero I didn’t expect that it was going to happen anytime soon — and with a different team,” Valdeavilla said.
“Our mindset heading into Game 2 is to get the win, but first we need to focus on winning the game. Di naman kasi agad makukuha yung panalo — need ng step-by-step to get the win,” added Egea.
