Letran High School emerged victorious against La Salle Green Hills, taking home the championship title after a 77-61 Game 2 win in the NCAA Season 98 Juniors Basketball Finals on Thursday.
Among the shining stars of the team was the 16-year-old athletic guard, Andy Gemao, who also received the Finals MVP award.
But while some may expect him to reunite with former mentor Goldwin Monteverde once he gets the University of the Philippines Integrated School program, Gemao made a surprising announcement: he plans to stay at Letran for his senior high school education.
Gemao, currently in Grade 10, was part of Monteverde’s National University Nazareth School program prior to his move to UP.
(C) Julius Domondon
“Oo, stay pa rin ako for the next year,” Gemao told Tiebreaker Times.
With an average of 17.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in two games, Gemao proved to be a force to be reckoned with on the court, leading his team to victory.
He is the first player from the Squires to receive the MVP award since Jay-R Reyes in 2001, making the win even more significant.
Gemao is determined to continue the legacy of his predecessors and dominate the NCAA juniors division, a goal that he believes he can achieve with his team.
“Siguro po dahil dominating pa din po kami. Magsstay kami sa winning culture ng Letran. Yung na start ng mga kuya namin, pagpaptuloy pa din namin,” he continued.
“Yung pagdodominate ng Letran sa NCAA juniors ipagpapatuloy pa po namin.”
While Gemao has every reason to be proud of his team’s success, he is also grateful to the seniors’ division for their support. Letran’s senior team also won their championship, marking the first time the school won a double championship since 1983.
“Shoutout to Kuya Pao Javillonar, Kuya Louie Sangalang, Kuya Brent Paraiso. To my older brothers, you won 1-1, and we won a sweep,” Gemao said jokingly.
