Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s wait for Ira Bataller will extend to another season.
Bataller will not be part of the Knights’ lineup for NCAA Season 98.
According to multiple sources closely monitoring the situation, the former University of Santo Tomas forward could not meet the school’s academic requirements for its student-athletes.
It was the same situation he figured in that made him miss Season 97.
The 6-foot-4 bruiser played for the Knights during the 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup and the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.
In the D-League, he averaged 3.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in six games played. Meanwhile, in the Preseason Cup, he normed 4.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in six games as well.
Bataller is turning 24 later this November.
Louie Sangalang, Pao Javillonar, and Jimly Lantaya will be the main big men of Bonnie Tan for their three-peat campaign.
Leading the team will be Fran Yu, Brent Paraiso, Tommy Olivario, King Caralipio, and Kurt Rayson.
Completing the team are Klint Ariar, Rafael Go, Neil Guarino, Joshua Miclat, Kobe Monje, Kevin Santos, Kyle Tolentino, Steven Angeles, Justine Bautista, and Josef Bojorcelo.
